The Pecos River has long supported farming, ranching and communities across southeastern New Mexico, but prolonged drought, declining snowpack and growing oil and gas activity raise concerns about how long the river can continue to meet competing demands, Capital & Main reports.
Under the 2003 Pecos Settlement Agreement, a federally appointed water master determines how much water Texas should receive each year. New Mexico has missed its required deliveries for seven consecutive years, accumulating a shortfall of 65,200 acre-feet, and has so far relied on water accumulated in earlier surplus years to cover the deficit. Hannah Riseley-White, director of the New Mexico Interstate Stream Commission, said evidence suggests available water supplies in the state, including the Pecos, will decline by 25% to 30% in the next 50 years.
Oil and gas operations in the Permian Basin add another layer of pressure. Loving-area farmer Johnny Reid said he is concerned about the volume of water used in drilling that is then disposed of rather than returned to other uses. He said his household can no longer use its water for drinking or bathing because of its high salt content, and he suspects oilfield wastewater injected near his water utility’s domestic wells but has not been able to afford the scientific investigation needed to establish the cause.
In years when supplies fall short, the state has bought water rights from the Carlsbad Irrigation District to divert irrigation water into the river. State officials are also exploring whether treated oilfield wastewater could become an additional source of supply, an idea that remains controversial because environmental groups question whether it can be made safe for crops, livestock and communities.
What's Next
The state Water Quality Control Commission is awaiting an initial hearing on a petition seeking changes to rules governing the use of treated oilfield wastewater.
Why It Matters
As water supplies decline and demand grows, the state faces increasingly difficult decisions about how to divide a resource that supports agriculture, communities, industry and ecosystems across the region.
About This Story
Daily Reports is Brant.One’s news roundup. Each day we gather the New Mexico stories worth knowing from newsrooms across the state, sum them up and point you to the source. This one comes from Capital & Main’s reporting, and their original story has the interviews and full details.
Editor’s note: Updated Oct. 31, 2026. This story is now part of Daily Reports, our New Mexico news roundup, and was revised to credit Capital & Main’s original reporting. Learn how Daily Reports works in our editorial standards.
