ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority voted Wednesday night to declare a Stage One Drought Watch. Recent drought monitoring shows most of the state at the highest level of drought including Bernalillo County.

The Water Utility Authority reports that under a Drought Watch water waste fines double and the Water Authority increases its education and outreach efforts in order to prevent excessive water use. The community is asked to do their part during the drought by avoiding water waste by doing the following:

  • Making sure that water doesn’t flow into the streets, sidewalks, or adjoining property
  • Following the Water by Numbers program which means watering just once per week in March and twice per week in April in May
  • Troubleshooting irrigations systems for leaks, broken components, and sprinkler heads that are not properly aimed