Turn on your tap and raise your glass to our new source of excellent and sustainable drinking water!
Collaboration, stewardship and transparency have been the defining principals of the Buckman Direct Diversion (BDD) Board. There has been an unparalleled level of collaboration to implement and operate one of the largest, most costly nonfederal public works project in Northern New Mexico, as illustrated by the number of groups and individuals who have participated in the process. In our fiscal stewardship role, the BDD Board ensured the completed project was completed on time and on budget. In our environmental stewardship role, we have partnered with others so wildlife, aquatic and plant habitats are improved. We are reducing our carbon footprint and saving ratepayers money by using solar power to help run BDD facilities.
Water quality stewardship has been a priority from day one. We are diligent on many fronts to protect the quality of the Rio Grande and ensure your drinking water is safe. We are confident your drinking water will not only be safe, but taste and smell good. As we begin operating the Buckman Regional Water Treatment Plant, the BDD Board is committed to continued transparency. Rio Grande monitoring and results from drinking water quality testing will be posted on our website and can be viewed on the Reports Page and via the Water Quality Sampling page.
The BDD Management and staff are committed professionals ready to serve the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County residential and business water customers. A decade ago Santa Fe experienced a severe drought. The BDD was implemented to protect us from running out of water in times of drought, and to allow our regional aquifer to rest.
The Buckman Direct Diversion (BDD) provides a safe, reliable and sustainable source of excellent drinking water for the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County. The BDD improves the regional water supply under drought conditions, replaces current groundwater pumping that cannot be sustained, and makes a drought reserve possible.
In May 2011, after nearly a decade in development, the Buckman Direct Diversion Board (BDD) assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations, management and maintenance of the Buckman Regional Water Treatment Plant (BRWTP) and facilities. During the severe drought experienced by Santa Fe from the late 1990s to 2002, the City of Santa Fe and Santa Fe County designed a sustainable water supply project to help protect our region from running out of water during a drought. Despite ongoing, very successful water conservation programs, the Santa Fe region did not have enough reliable and sustainable drinking water to meet the growing needs.
Creating the BDD provided a fourth source of water, improving the regional water supply under drought conditions, allowing groundwater in our aquifers to recharge, and making a drought reserve possible.
Economic Benefits
Major Economic Benefits
During the economic downturn, the BDD has provided more than $350 million in construction economic benefits and generated more than 500 jobs per year during design and construction. Local gross receipt taxes generated over $35 million in revenue for Santa Fe County and the state. The professional employees who manage, operate and maintain the BRWTP and facilities generate nearly $3.4 million in annual payroll and benefits in the BDD’s first full year of operation.