Swamp coolers are ubiquitous in New Mexico too, but they're falling out of fashion for new construction. Partially because they require a lot of maintenance, bu

Swamp coolers are ubiquitous in New Mexico too, but they're falling out of fashion for new construction. Partially because they require a lot of maintenance, but mostly because water is no longer being seen as free and unlimited here in the high desert. The maintenance issue could be remedied with better engineering. But the water issue will require lifestyle changes that include getting serious about recycling gray water and harvesting rainwater, both of which are basically illegal now in many parts of the West.