Saturday, May 21, 2005

State changing rules for septic tanks

Brandy Sarver El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

BSARVER The New Mexico Environment Department outlined the revisions and policy changes to state liquid waste regulations at a public meeting in Socorro on Thursday.

Present were newly appointed Environment Specialist Jerry Ford for District V (Socorro and Catron counties), and Environment Geologist and Liquid Waste Manager Dennis McQuillan of Santa Fe.

McQuillan presented two slide shows, the first of which gave examples of legal and illegal forms of waste disposal systems, and also detailed the chemistry and process by which sewage is broken down.

"We're seeing more and more wells drilled too close to the neighbor's septic tank," said McQuillan, "and so, in effect, you're drinking a diluted form of your neighbor's sewage."

The problem is especially prevalent on small, adjacent lots where there isn't enough space left between sewage systems. The earth, naturally, through a process called attenuation, filters out the harmful minerals, bacteria and man-made chemicals in waste. The toxic parts of the waste are then turned into non-harmful gases and released into the atmosphere. But if waste systems are placed too close to one another, then attenuation will not work properly, causing pollution of underground water.

The second slide show highlighted the new regulations that are being implemented in order to improve environmental conditions, ensure that all new systems are properly installed, and reduce the amount of pollution that is released into the ground and surface waters, according to the department.

The major changes include the increase of minimum lot sizes, obtaining permits for currently un-permitted systems, a new monitoring system, and new certification and training programs.

The revisions also impose tougher consequences on installers who do not obtain permits. "It's these pirates," said Ford, "who I want to get. They're making it hard for good businessmen to make a dollar the right way."

Because there are many people who do not know much about their waste system, Environment Department officials say that they are going to work with people to get their system up to the current standards.

"It is important to know that we will not be requiring all the residents who have septic systems already installed to rip them out, costing them thousands of dollars. We will be granting permits to those people who met the department's standards at the time of installation," said McQuillain.

The state will also be providing one free well-water test with each permit.

"We're trying to give something back," said McQuillan.

All the regulation changes, fee schedules and a downloadable permit form are available at the Environment Department's Web site www.nmenv.state.nm.us (click on Liquid Waste Program). Or you can contact Jerry Ford at the Socorro Field Office at (505) 835-1287.

bsarver@dchieftain.com

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