New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 6 - WATER QUALITY
Part 2 - GROUND AND SURFACE WATER PROTECTION
Section 20.6.2.3103 - STANDARDS FOR GROUND WATER OF 10,000 mg/l TDS CONCENTRATION OR LESS
Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 6, March 26, 2024
The following standards are the allowable pH range and the maximum allowable concentration in ground water for the contaminants specified unless the existing condition exceeds the standard or unless otherwise provided in Subsection E of Section 20.6.2.3109 NMAC. Regardless of whether there is one contaminant or more than one contaminant present in ground water, when an existing pH or concentration of any water contaminant exceeds the standard specified in Subsection A, B, or C of this section, the existing pH or concentration shall be the allowable limit, provided that the discharge at such concentrations will not result in concentrations at any place of withdrawal for present or reasonably foreseeable future use in excess of the standards of this section. These standards shall apply to the dissolved portion of the contaminants specified with a definition of dissolved being that given in the publication "methods for chemical analysis of water and waste of the U.S. environmental protection agency," with the exception that standards for mercury, organic compounds and non-aqueous phase liquids shall apply to the total nonfiltered concentrations of the contaminants. If the secretary determines that there is a reasonable probability of facilitated contaminant transport by colloids or organic macromolecules, or that proper filtration procedures are not being followed, the discharger may be required to test for both filtered and nonfiltered portions of inorganic contaminants to develop appropriate protocol for monitoring contaminants that have the potential to migrate through the aquifer.
A. Human Health Standards
B. Other Standards for Domestic Water Supply
C. Standards for Irrigation Use - Ground water shall meet the standards of Subsection A, B, and C of this section unless otherwise provided.
D. For purposes of application of the amended numeric standards for arsenic, cadmium, lead, combined radium-226 & radium-228; benzene, PCBs, carbon tetrachloride, EDC, PCE, TCE, ethylbenzene, methylene chloride, EDB, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and benzo-a-pyrene, to past and current water discharges (as of July 1, 2017), the new standards will not become effective until July 1, 2020. With regard to sites for which the secretary has approved an abatement completion report as of the effective date of this rule pursuant to 20.6.2.4112 NMAC, the amended numeric standards for arsenic, cadmium, lead, combined radium-226 & radium-228; benzene, PCBs, carbon tetrachloride, EDC, PCE, TCE, ethylbenzene, methylene chloride, EDB, 1,1,2-trichloroethane and benzo-a-pyrene shall not apply unless the secretary notifies the responsible person that the site is a source of these contaminants in ground water that pose a hazard to public health.
For purposes of application of the amended numeric uranium standard to past and current water discharges (as of 9-26-04), the new standard will not become effective until June 1, 2007. For any new water discharges, the uranium standard is effective 9-26-04.