Understanding Septic System Regulations in New Mexico: What Homeowners Need to Know

If you own a home with a septic system in New Mexico, it’s essential to understand the regulations that govern installation, maintenance, and compliance. These rules are designed to protect public health and prevent environmental contamination. The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) enforces these regulations through its Liquid Waste Program.

Table of Contents

• Key Regulations That Affect Homeowners
• What Every Homeowner with a Septic System Should Know
• How to Stay Compliant
• Septic Permit Links by State

Key Regulations That Affect Homeowners

New Mexico’s septic system laws primarily stem from two major regulatory frameworks:

Liquid Waste Disposal Regulations (20.7.3 NMAC)

• These regulations set the technical and safety standards for residential and commercial septic systems.
• They govern system design, installation, and operation to ensure wastewater is properly treated and does not pose a risk to groundwater or public health.
• They specify tank sizing, drain field requirements, and setback distances from water sources, wells, and structures.

DIY Fixes for Septic Tank Odors

Ground and Surface Water Protection Regulation

• These rules aim to prevent sewage contamination of drinking water sources, rivers, and lakes.
• They establish buffer zones around water bodies and wells where septic systems cannot be installed.
• They outline how septic system failures must be reported and addressed to minimize pollution.

What Every Homeowner with a Septic System Should Know

Minimum Lot Size for Septic Systems

• New Mexico requires a minimum of 0.75 acres for properties installing a new septic system.
• If your lot is smaller, you may need special approval or an alternative septic system.

Homeowners May Install Their Own Systems – But with Restrictions

• Homeowners can install their own septic system only on their primary residence and only once per year.
• Rental properties and vacation homes must have a licensed installer.
• DIY installations require NMED approval and inspection before the system can be used.

Average Maintenance Costs for Septic Systems

Regular Inspections and Pumping Are Mandatory

• New Mexico regulations recommend inspections every 3-5 years for conventional septic systems.
• Alternative systems (such as aerobic treatment units) may require annual inspections.
• Failing to inspect and pump your system when required can lead to sewage backups, groundwater pollution, and costly repairs.

Septic Setback Distances Protect Your Water Supply

• You must place septic systems at least:
  
  • 50 feet from private wells
  • 100 feet from surface water sources (lakes, rivers, streams)
  • 10 feet from property lines
• These distances prevent contamination and ensure proper wastewater absorption.

Cesspools Are Illegal in New Mexico

• If your property has an old cesspool, you must replace it with a compliant septic system.
• Cesspools do not adequately treat wastewater and pose serious environmental hazards.

Selling a Home? Your Septic System Must Be Inspected

• If you sell a property with a septic system, it must undergo an inspection to verify it meets current regulations.
• Buyers may require documentation of past maintenance and proof that the system is in good working order.

Septic Violations Can Lead to Fines and Required Repairs

• You may be required to upgrade, repair, or replace the system at your own expense.
• If your system leaks, overflows, or does not meet code, the NMED may issue a violation notice.

How to Stay Compliant

• Keep up with inspections and maintenance – Don’t wait until you have a problem!
• Follow local permit rules before installing or repairing your system.
• Ensure proper waste disposal – Avoid flushing chemicals, grease, and non-biodegradable materials into your system.
• Check for regulation updates – New rules can affect your responsibilities as a homeowner.

Understanding New Mexico septic system regulations ensures that your system operates efficiently while keeping your property and community safe.

Septic Permit Links by State

Alabama Septic Tank Permit	https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/onsite/forms.html
Alaska Septic Tank Permit	https://dec.alaska.gov/water/wastewater/engineering/homeowners
Arizona Septic Tank Permit	https://legacy.azdeq.gov/environ/water/engineering/oss.html#where
Arkansas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.adeq.state.ar.us/water/permits/pdfs/subsurface-septic-tank-app.pdf
California Septic Tank Permit	https://www.waterboards.ca.gov/centralcoast/water_issues/programs/septics/permits.html
Colorado Septic Tank Permit	https://cdphe.colorado.gov/OWTS
Connecticut Septic Tank Permit	https://portal.ct.gov/dph/environmental-health/environmental-engineering/environmental-engineering—-subsurface-sewage#:~:text=Septic%20systems%20on%20sites%20with,CT%20Department%20of%20Public%20Health.
Delaware Septic Tank Permit	https://documents.dnrec.delaware.gov/Water/Septics/forms/septic-system-permit-application.pdf
Florida Septic Tank Permit	https://floridadep.gov/water/onsite-sewage/content/onsite-sewage-faq-permitting
Georgia Septic Tank Permit	https://dph.georgia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage
Hawaii Septic Tank Permit	https://eha-cloud.doh.hawaii.gov/epermit/app/#/formversion/a7e3ebf0-6183-4cbb-bc89-e5de66e5f619
Idaho Septic Tank Permit	https://www.deq.idaho.gov/water-quality/wastewater/septic-and-septage/
Illinois Septic Tank Permit	https://epa.illinois.gov/topics/forms/water-forms/wastewater-permits.html
Indiana Septic Tank Permit	https://www.in.gov/health/eph/onsite-sewage-systems-program/
Iowa Septic Tank Permit	https://iowacounty.iowa.gov/environmental_health/septic_systems/
Kansas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.kdhe.ks.gov/DocumentCenter/View/8966/Septic-Tanks-PDF
Kentucky Septic Tank Permit	https://www.lfchd.org/onsite-sewage-septic-tank-program/
Louisiana Septic Tank Permit	https://ldh.la.gov/news/2088
Maine Septic Tank Permit	https://www.maine.gov/dhhs/mecdc/environmental-health/plumb/forms.htm
Maryland Septic Tank Permit	https://septicapplication.mde.state.md.us/Public/StatewideSepticApplication
Massachusetts Septic Tank Permit	https://www.mass.gov/lists/title-5-septic-system-forms
Michigan Septic Tank Permit	https://www.dhd10.org/homeowners/apply-for-a-new-wellseptic/
Minnesota Septic Tank Permit	https://www.stlouiscountymn.gov/departments-a-z/planning-zoning/onsite-wastewater/apply-for-a-septic-permit
Mississippi Septic Tank Permit	https://msdh.ms.gov/page/30,0,78.html
Missouri Septic Tank Permit	https://health.mo.gov/living/environment/onsite/permitappforms.php
Montana Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.mt.gov/twr/assistance
Nebraska Septic Tank Permit	https://onestop.nebraska.gov/onsite-wastewater-septic-permit
Nevada Septic Tank Permit	https://dpbh.nv.gov/Reg/ISDS/dta/Permits/Individual_Sewage_Disposal_Systems_-_Permits/
New Hampshire Septic Tank Permit	https://onlineforms.nh.gov/app/#/formversion/e5058738-ce6b-4bab-b5f3-25dc1c33091d
New Jersey Septic Tank Permit	https://dep.nj.gov/dwq/wastewater/septic-systems/professional-information/
New Mexico Septic Tank Permit	https://www.env.nm.gov/septic/apply-for-a-permit/
New York Septic Tank Permit	https://www.health.ny.gov/environmental/water/drinking/septic_systems.htm
North Carolina Septic Tank Permit	https://www.carteretcountync.gov/207/Septic-System-Permits
North Dakota Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.nd.gov/WQ/2_NDPDES_Permits/6_SepticPumper/sp.aspx
Ohio Septic Tank Permit	https://odh.ohio.gov/know-our-programs/sewage-treatment-systems/forms
Oklahoma Septic Tank Permit	https://applications.deq.ok.gov/sewagepermit/
Oregon Septic Tank Permit	https://www.oregon.gov/deq/Residential/Pages/Onsite-Resources.aspx
Pennsylvania Septic Tank Permit	https://www.pa.gov/services/dcnr/request-water-and-septic-installation-and-modifications-to-your-state-forest-leased-campsite.html
Rhode Island Septic Tank Permit	https://dem.ri.gov/environmental-protection-bureau/water-resources/permitting/septic-onsite-wastewater-treatment-owts
South Carolina Septic Tank Permit	https://www.aikencountysc.gov/DspOfc?qOfcID=SCDESS
South Dakota Septic Tank Permit	https://danr.sd.gov/Agriculture/Livestock/FeedlotPermit/Septic/default.aspx
Tennessee Septic Tank Permit	https://www.tn.gov/environment/permit-permits/water-permits1/septic-systems-permits/ssp/permit-water-septic-system-related-permits.html
Texas Septic Tank Permit	https://www.tceq.texas.gov/permitting/ossf/ossfpermits.html
Utah Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.utah.gov/water-quality/application-forms-for-onsite-professionals-onsite-wastewater-program
Vermont Septic Tank Permit	https://dec.vermont.gov/water/wastewater-systems-and-potable-water-supply-program/wastewater-systems-and-potable-water
Virginia Septic Tank Permit	https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/environmental-health/onsite-sewage-water-services-updated/have-you-considered-using-the-private-sector/
Washington Septic Tank Permit	https://doh.wa.gov/community-and-environment/wastewater-management/forms-publications
West Virginia Septic Tank Permit	https://dep.wv.gov/wwe/permit/Pages/default.aspx
Wisconsin Septic Tank Permit	https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Programs/POWTS/Default.aspx
Wyoming Septic Tank Permit	https://deq.wyoming.gov/water-quality/water-wastewater/permitting/small-wastewater-systems/