Summary

Saline intrusion into the San Juan aquifer is already occurring at current population and pumping levels and can be expected to reach the municipal wells by 2025 or earlier.  However, saline intrusion could be significantly delayed with infrastructure improvements to the existing water delivery system.  Proposed retention basins in the arroyos can improve surface water supply to local farmers/ranchers, but will not increase recharge to the underlying aquifer in a measurable manner.  Consequently, any future development in the region must find and develop an alternative water source for that development and the associated growth in supporting population.