A SPOKESMAN FOR ALBUQUERQUE'S WATER UTILITY AUTHORITY SAYS A COURT RULING IS GOOD NEWS FOR RATE PAYERS. THE STATE COURT OF APPEALS SAYS THE AUTHORITY CAN CONTINUE TO DIVERT DRINKING WATER FROM THE RIO GRANDE. DAVID MORRIS TELLS 770 KKOB THEY STILL NEED A PERMIT FROM THE STATE ENGINEER. HE SAYS THEIR INTERPRETATION OF THE COURT'S RULING IS IT SHOULD BE A PURELY ADMINISTRATIVE PROCESS.
ALBUQUERQUE HAS BEEN DIVERTING WATER FROM THE RIO GRANDE FOR PART OF ITS DRINKING WATER SUPPLY SINCE 2008. THE COURT RULING SAYS THERE'S NO EVIDENCE THAT THE DIVERSION IS HARMING DOWNSTREAM WATER USERS.
ALBUQUERQUE GETS HALF ITS DRINKING WATER FROM THE RIO GRANDE…AND THE OTHER HALF FROM GROUNDWATER.
