The Ogallala Aquifer is an essential source of water for America’s breadbasket in the west-central high plains. It is being drawn down faster than nature can replenish it, largely for farm irrigation.The New Mexico city of Hobbs draws water from that aquifer — but about 3.6 mgd less today than years ago. The city’s wastewater reclamation facility now recycles essentially all of its influent, using it to irrigate a large farm, golf course, cemeteries and a soccer complex. That water displaces potable water formerly drawn from underground.Meanwhile, biosolids from the treatment process are dried to create a Class A fertilizer/soil
