Water use in terms of the tradition of acequia has more spiritual meaning and traditional beliefs and customer which endured over the decades. Water use on today's modern society is different as it is neither exclusive to the community bound with the territory of an aequia. However they are struggling to preserve their old ways with two factors, one the political and laws about views water resources and also the demand as population grows.
Cities are major water users with growing water needs. Housing developments drain off water from the rivers, but do not return water to the river. As a result, ditches are drying up, water flow is slowed and it is difficult for framers to rely on acequias to meet their water needs. Land values have gone up, so when a farm is sold, it may no longer need the ditches. If the ditch is not maintained, then farms further down may not have enough water.
