Proposed NM Drinking Water Regulation Amendments November 2005

Overview Proposed regulation amendments are only to the state portion of the regulations No new federal rules are added in the proposed regulation amendments Proposed regulation amendments were submitted for public comment in June 2005 Proposed regulation amendments are posted on DWB Web site ( DWB plans to petition EIB in December 2005

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments Definitions: Corrected, added and clarified some definitions. Some definitions were removed since they were already included in the adopted CFRs.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments Adoption of 40 CFR Part 141: Terms were removed that were already described in the previously adopted CFRs Adoption of 40 CFR Part 143: Terms were removed that were already described in the adopted CFRs.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments References: References have been changed to Guidance Documents. This change was necessary so that we would not be tasked with continually revising the Drinking Water Regulations every time the references incorporated were updated.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments Public Water System Projects: Updated by adding routine O&M procedures that do not need department approval. Updated by adding a waiver of plan approval for certain projects in conformance with previously approved “master design plans”.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments Applications for Public Water System Project Approval: Changes and clarifications to the approval process including the commencement of construction for the project. Clarification of disinfection plan procedures. Application denial to include failure to meet required treatment techniques.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments Applications for Public Water System Project Approval: (Continued) Clarification that Department approval is limited to sanitary design and public health. Add process for deviations from approved plans or specifications. Add provisions for Department staff to conduct site visits during site work. Add process for requiring notification of project completion.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments General Operating Requirements: Finished water storage facilities to have water tight openings and must restrict the entry of vermin or water. Direct or indirect additives must be acceptable to the Department. Require public water systems to comply with the Utility Operators Certification Act.

Summary of Major Regulation Amendments Sampling Requirements: Require the department to test NTNC water systems for arsenic, fluoride and radionuclides and require public notification requirements to be identical to community water systems for these contaminants. Per NMSA 1978, ,1. Require NTNC water systems to comply with coliform sampling that is identical to like-sized community water systems.

For More Information Visit our Web site at DWB Contact: Darren Padilla Phone: (505)