Relevant to Taos Real Estate News Articles
Liquid Waste Program Ownership Transfer
The following items should be considered before and during ownership transfer inspections of onsite liquid waste systems that are now required under the Liquid Waste Disposal and Treatment Regulations.
1. Prior to the transfer of title of ownership, all properties served by
onsite liquid waste systems must be inspected.
2. Before performing any inspection, check to see if the system is permitted
through NMED. The owner may have a copy of the permit, or a search can be
performed on the Liquid Waste Management website or through
the local NMED Field Office with by the owner, realtor, or the inspector.
3. If the system is not permitted and was installed on or before February
1, 2002, NMED must perform the inspection.
4. If the system is not permitted and was installed on or before February
1, 2002, an application for a certificate of registration must be submitted
with the inspection form. As of June 1, 2006, NMED will perform these inspections.
5. The inspection must be reported on the NMED form. This form contains
a section to be completed and signed by the owner and a section to be completed
and signed by the owner and a section to be completed and signed by the
inspector. There are also certain fields that must be completed (marked
by an *) for the inspection form to be considered acceptable. The inspector
is responsible for submitting the inspection report to the local NMED Field
Office for evaluation. Reports that are not completed must still be submitted
to NMED. The inspector is also required to keep a copy of all inspections,
or partial inspections. All reports must be submitted within 15 days of
the inspection.
6. The inspector must have a current NAWT certification, be registered as
a Professional Engineer, or until June 1, 2006 be a licensed contractor
wit an MM98, MM01, MS03, or MS01 license through New Mexico Construction
Industries Division of the Regulation and Licensing Dept.
7. The inspection must be comprehensive enough to determine the condition
of the septic tank or Advanced Treatment Unit (ATU), holding tank, or pump,
and pump tank, It must be determined if the drainfield is functioning adequately.
Any deficiencies in any components of the system or signs of failure must
be noted on the inspection form.
8. The inspector is expected to be adequately familiar with the Liquid Waste
Disposal and Treatment Regulations, 20.7.3 NMAC, to recognize requirements
on systems installed under the new rules that went into effect on September
1, 2005, such as manhole risers to the ground surface, effluent filters,
inspection ports on drainfields, graywater system requirement, and water
softener discharge requirements on systems served by ATU’s. A copy
of the Liquid Waste Disposal and Treatment Regulations can be downloaded
from the Liquid Waste Program webpage.
Please call the Lora Company at (575) 758-3275 if we may answer any additional questions about the New Mexico Environmental Department Regulations on Liquid Waste Systems.
