New Mexico Administrative Code
Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
Chapter 7 - WASTEWATER AND WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES
Part 3 - LIQUID WASTE DISPOSAL AND TREATMENT
Section 20.7.3.808 - HOLDING TANK REQUIREMENTS

Universal Citation: 20 NM Admin Code 20.7.3.808

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 18, September 24, 2024

A. The installation of holding tanks for the disposal of liquid wastes shall be authorized on a temporary basis only and only for residential units where conventional or alternative liquid waste treatment systems cannot be installed, except where noted in Subsection E below.

B. The installation of holding tanks shall not be authorized for commercial units except where noted in Subsection E below.

C. Holding tanks shall not be installed to serve any design flow greater than 375 gallons per day, except for the direct collection of RV waste or to replace an existing holding tank. Total design flow on any property served by a holding tank shall not exceed 375 gallons per day except for the direct collection of RV waste.

D. The installation of holding tanks shall be authorized for no more than one year from the date of installation for units occupied more than 120 days per calendar year.

E. The installation of holding tanks shall be authorized for permanent use only for the following:

(1) residential units, with a design flow rate of 375 gpd or less, occupied 120 days or less per calendar year;

(2) residential units utilizing the holding tank only for the discharge of toilet waste in conjunction with a conventional treatment system for the remainder of the wastewater;

(3) non-residential, non-commercial units, such as guard shacks, toll booths, etc., with a design flow rate of 100 gpd or less; and

(4) the direct collection of RV waste and portable toilet waste for disposal in accordance with 20.7.3.306 NMAC.

F. Holding tanks shall be constructed of the same materials, by the same procedures and to the same standards as described in 20.7.3.501-502 NMAC except that they shall have no discharge outlet.

G. All holding tank installations shall be tested on-site for water tightness.

H. The minimum size of a holding tank shall be 1000 gallons or four times the design flow, whichever is greater.

I. Holding tanks shall be located in an area readily accessible to a pump vehicle under all weather conditions and where accidental spillage during pumping will not create a nuisance or a hazard to public health.

J. Holding tanks shall be protected against flotation under high groundwater conditions by weight of tank (ballasting), earth anchors or by surface or shallow installation. Holding tanks shall be protected from freezing.

K. Holding tanks shall be equipped with a visible and audible high water alarm system placed in a conspicuous location approved by the department. The alarm shall be set to activate at 80% of the tank capacity. It shall be a violation of these regulations to tamper with or disconnect the alarm system.

L. The owner of a holding tank shall have the tank pumped to prevent discharge from the tank and the liquid waste (septage) properly disposed of in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Owners of holding tanks shall maintain records demonstrating pumping and proper disposal of septage from the units to prevent discharge. Copies of pumping and disposal manifests shall be retained by the owner for at least seven years and shall be made available to the department for inspection on request. The records shall be:

(1) kept on a form provided by the department if requested;

(2) accompanied by such other documentation as the department may reasonably require;

(3) signed by the lot owner or an authorized representative;

(4) submitted on a semi-annual basis, or a schedule otherwise determined by the department, to the department field office having jurisdiction, and

(5) included in any transfer inspection report or unpermitted system inspection report.

M. No person shall install, operate, modify or maintain a holding tank that allows discharge to the soil or to waters of the state.

N. The department may perform site inspections periodically to ensure that a holding tank does not discharge.

O. All units utilizing a holding tank shall connect to a public sewer upon availability and in accordance with the local authority that has jurisdiction. A public sewer shall be deemed available when the public sewer is located in any thoroughfare, right-of-way or easement abutting the lot on which the unit is located. The holding tank shall be properly abandoned in accordance with 20.7.3.307 NMAC within 30 days of connection to the public sewer.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. New Mexico may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.