New Mexico Community Leaders Launch 'Speak for the Water' Campaign Following Controversial South Valley Water-Transfer Decision

Petition calls for science, law, transparency, and long-term stewardship in major Middle Rio Grande water decisions

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. - July 17, 2026 - Community leaders, acequia commissioners, farmers, educators, researchers, neighborhood organizations, and residents today announced the launch of the Speak for the Water campaign and a Change.org petition urging New Mexico water officials to place science, law, transparency, public welfare, and long-term stewardship at the center of major water-transfer decisions.

The campaign was ignited by the decision to proceed with a 40-acre water transfer from Albuquerque's South Valley, despite substantial community opposition and concerns about cumulative impacts on acequia systems, groundwater recharge, domestic wells, agriculture, and the long-term stability of the Middle Rio Grande. Campaign organizers say the decision illustrates the need for stronger public accountability and a clearer, science-based framework for evaluating major transfers during prolonged drought and increasing groundwater stress.

"The 40-acre water transfer decision may have sparked this movement, but the future of New Mexico's water is why we are standing together," said Jorge Garcia, Executive Director of CESOSS. "This is not a call to abandon water law. It is a call to administer water rights in a way that reflects today's science, today's hydrologic realities, and our responsibility to future generations."

What the Petition Requests

• Place science, law, transparency, conservation, and public welfare at the center of every major water-transfer decision.
• Adopt a temporary moratorium - or another appropriate interim policy mechanism - on additional Middle Rio Grande water transfers until cumulative impacts can be evaluated using the best available science.
• Require applicants to demonstrate that proposed transfers will not impair existing rights, groundwater sustainability, aquifer recharge, Rio Grande Compact compliance, conservation of water, or the public welfare.
• Convene a public working session with acequia commissioners, Tribal governments, farmers, scientists, local governments, conservation districts, community organizations, and residents.

 Why Acequias Matter
Acequias are more than irrigation ditches. They are living community institutions that support local food production, cultural continuity, habitat, neighborhood cooperation, and groundwater recharge. A community protest described the removal of water rights from a village as being "like removing an artery to your heart," capturing the human and cultural consequences that can accompany transfers away from historic Acequia agricultural communities across New Mexico.

About Speak for the Water
Speaking for the Water is a community-based stewardship initiative founded to educate, connect, and mobilize residents around the protection of rivers, acequias, aquifers, watersheds, and future generations. Its guiding message is: Water cannot speak for itself. We can.

Take Action
The petition is available at https://www.change.org/protectnmwaters. Campaign information and downloadable media materials are available at cesoss.org.

Media Contact:

Jorge García, Executive Director, CESOSS

505.459.4949 | info@cesoss.org

#SpeakForTheWater | #SomosAtrisco