Crime and Community Safety
While crime is extremely low in Sandia Heights (a CAP score of 1/10, compared to 4/10 for the US average), it doesn't hurt to be careful.
What real burglers said were their greatest deterrents to breaking into homes
10 Important Crime Safety Tips (an old-but-good article from criminaljusticephd.org on crime-proofing one's home)
Hiking in the Sandias
Sandia Heights shares its eastern border with National Forest land, and we are fortunate to have such easy access to the hiking trails in the Sandia Mountains; for many residents, the trails are literally outside our back doors. Please note that there is no public access to the forest land through private property. Unless you have explicitly asked a private landowner for permission to walk through their land, and have received permission to do so, you are limited to accessing the mountain trails by way of public trailheads.
Hiking maps can be reached by navigating to Homepage > Local Maps > Nearby Public Lands - Hiking, Camping, and Biking Maps
Mike Coltrin's Sandia Mountain Hiking Guide, Revised and Expanded Edition, is a classic hiking guide to the Sandia Mountains featuring over 60 trails and walking routes. Each trail description includes length, elevation gain, degree of difficulty, GPS readings, and descriptions of the terrain, scenic viewpoints, and neighboring trails. The book also includes detailed maps.
The Leave No Trace 7 Principles - Guidance on how to plan your hiking or camping trip such that it minimizes ecological impact.
Trail Etiquette - From saying hello, to cleaning up dog poop, to passing on the left, to cyclists yielding to horses, these are practical tips that experienced hikers will have learned over time but that are useful for those starting out.
Landscaping, Sustainably
Residential Rainwater Harvesting - a "how-to" guide from Bernalillo County Public Works. Use rainwater runoff to water your plants; cut down on irrigation needs.
Keep Your Trees Healthy - Useful, Albuquerque-centric guide to keeping planted trees watered and alive in the high desert climate. These tips also help reduce the chance your trees will become wildfire fodder.
Choosing Appropriate Trees - A list of popular trees that need too much water, die easily, are forbidden by the Architectural Control Guidelines, are pest-prone, or are otherwise just not worth it, if you live in Sandia Heights. Make your life easy and avoid problem trees!
Septic Systems
While a few (very few!) Sandia Heights residents are connected to sewer systems, the vast majority of us process our waste through septic systems. Here are some resources to help folks navigate managing their own septic systems.
Update on Septic Systems (2020) - informational article by the SHHA Architectural Control Committee
Bernalillo County FAQs on Septic Systems - includes a list of approved septic system evaluators and explains the county's requirement to evaluate, if not pump, septic tanks every 5 years.
Maintaining your septic system - EPA brochure detailing maintenance, what not to flush, failure causes and symptoms
Utilities - Contact Info
ELECTRIC
Electric service is provided to all Sandia Heights residents by PNM (505-246-5700 or www.pnm.com).
GAS
New Mexico Gas provides natural gas to many Sandia Heights residents. The contact numbers are 505-697-3335 or 1-888-664-2726 or the website: www.nmgco.com.
Many residents use propane gas from their own private tanks, serviced by various propane gas companies in the area. Natural gas service is not available in Sandia Heights North (Units 0, 1, 2, and 3) and all residents of these units use propane.
PHONE AND INTERNET
CenturyLink provides phone and internet service: http://www.centurylinkdeals.com/internet/New-Mexico/A/Albuquerque/
Comcast provides phone, internet, and cable television service: www.xfinity.com
Direct TV provides phone, internet, and cable chanels: http://www.directpackages.com/order-directv-now.html
HighSpeedOptions - Tool for users to find the best internet options available in the area: https://highspeedoptions.com/internet
SANITATION
Sandia Heights Services provides refuse collection and curbside recycling by contract with individual homeowners. For refuse and recycling collection schedules and policies, click this link. Sandia Heights Services is a private company that is not affiliated with Sandia Heights Homeowners Association. For more information please visit the Sandia Heights Service website: www.sandiaheightsservices.com.
SECURITY
The Sandia Heights Security Patrol, a subscriber-only service of Sandia Heights Services, provides a high visibility deterrent to crime in the Sandia Heights neighborhood. To subscribe to this important service, please call 856-6419. Sandia Heights Services is a private company that is not affiliated with Sandia Heights Homeowners Association. For more information please visit the Sandia Heights Service website: www.sandiaheightsservices.com.
WATER AND SEWER
Water service is provided by Sandia Heights Services by contract with individual homeowners. Sewer service, where available, is also provided by Sandia Heights Services (SHS). The majority of residences in Sandia Heights are served by individual septic systems. Sandia Heights Services is a private company that is not affiliated with Sandia Heights Homeowners Association. For more information please visit the Sandia Heights Service website: www.sandiaheightsservices.com. On the SHS website, you may also view the most recent Water Quality Report for Sandia Heights.
Walking in the Neighborhood
Many residents walk on the roads throughout our neighborhood, enjoying the sunshine, the amazing skies, the mountains, and the clear mountain breeze. However, Sandia Heights streets have no sidewalks, so a pleasant stroll — with family, with friends, and with pets — carries an element of danger.. Please keep everyone safe: pets should be on leashes, and their waste cleaned up by their owners. Pets should not walk on asphalt or concrete in the peak of summer, as they will badly burn their feet. Try early morning walks, trail hikes, or dog parks instead. And, for the safety of all humans involved, please observe these rules of the road:
| FOR PEDESTRIANS | FOR DRIVERS | |
| For PedestriansFor DriversWalk on the left side of the road facing oncoming traffic. | Follow the posted speed limit and drive to conditions. | |
| Make eye contact with the drivers before crossing a street. Don't assume drivers see you. | Be cautious when passing stopped or parked vehicles. | |
| When walking, put away electronic devices that take your eyes and ears off the road. | Pay attention and put your phone away, so you're always prepared if pedestrians enter your path. | |
| Cross the street only at intersections or crosswalks. Look left, right, then left again before crossing. | Stop for pedestrians at crosswalks. | |
| Obey all traffic and crosswalk signals. | When turning, yield the right of way to pedestrians. |
Water Conservation
Living in the desert, water is always on our minds. Will there be enough water in the aquifers to to sustain us in the future? When is is it going to rain? How do we make do with the water we have? In these sections you'll find interesting and informative information about water conservation.
The EyeOnWater App for Android / EyeOnWater App for Apple monitors home water use and warns the homeowner if excessive water usage occurs, so leaks can be found and stopped quickly. Thanks to Sandia Heights Services (SHS is our local utility, separate from the Sandia Heights Homeowners Association), nearly all Sandia Heights homes have been outfitted with the equipment necessary to transmit data to this app. Homeowners may download the app at
Preserving water inside and outside the house - from Sandia Heights Services (SHS)
Water Conservation Tips and Products - from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Bernalillo County Water Conservation Programs - Water conservation incentives, ordinances, workshops, and tips. The incentives are particularly noteworthy, including:
- Rainwater Harvesting and Storage - 1-2 Free Rainwater Barrels
- High efficiency toilet retrofits - $300 coupon towards purchase
- High efficiency washing machines - $200 coupon towards purchase
- Smart irrigation controllers - $100 coupon towards purchase
- Laundry-to-Landscape Greywater Kits - free
Water Plans & Reports for the State of New Mexico - From the Office of the State Engineer, this is the portal to all statewide water availability/use/regulations/planning information.
New Mexico's State Water Plan - This document is from deeper within the website of the Office of the State Engineer, above. New Mexico's 50 year plan outlines both conservation and water rights acquisition initiatives the State is taking to ensure we all have water for the next 50 years.