Liquid Waste (Septic Tank) Program
Checklist to Apply for a Liquid Waste Permit or Registration
- Download and print the Liquid Waste Permit/Registration Application Form in Adobe pdf format.
- Consult the step-by-step instructions/guidance.
- To determine if your site is near a highly vulnerable body of water, you can find depth-to-groundwater information at the State Engineer Water Information on-line database, and you can contact one of the Liquid Waste Program staff. We are in the process of preparing statewide, county-by-county, maps of vulnerable waters.
- Review the following documents as needed: Liquid Waste Disposal and Treatment Regulations, NMED Policies (aboveground use of reclaimed domestic wastewater, evapotranspiration systems, existing unpermitted systems, lots less than 3/4 acre, single lots, and variances), List of Approved Septic Tanks, and List of Approved Advanced Treatment Systems.
- If the septic tank or advanced treatment system you wish to install is not on the approved list, you must submit plans for the unit to the Liquid Waste Program Manager for product registration and certification.
- Complete the Application Form.
- Provide the completed Application Form and Permit Fee to the appropriate NMED office.
- NMED will make you a copy of the Application Form.
- NMED will do an inspection, if required.
- NMED will grant, grant with conditions, or deny, your permit within ten working days of receipt of your completed permit application and fee.
- If your permit application was granted, or granted with conditions that you accept, remit a check or money order payable to the New Mexico Environment Department, for the Permit Fee. NMED will not issue the permit to you until the fee is paid.
- If your permit application was denied by NMED, or granted with conditions that you object to, you may appeal this decision. Liquid Waste Disposal Regulation 20.7.3.406 (NMAC) provides that any person who is dissatisfied with an action taken by NMED on a permit application or variance petition may appeal to the NMED Secretary. The appeal must be filed in writing with the NMED Secretary within 15 working days after notice of the NMED action is issued. Contact Felicia Orth for further information about filing an appeal.
- You may also submit a Variance Application to your local NMED Field Office. The variance request must show that the proposed alternative will be protective of water resources and public health. Click on the link to the Variance Application Procedures for guidance on applying for a variance. A Sample Letter for notification of neighboring properties is also available.
| Permit Action | Permit Fee |
| conventional system construction | $100 |
| conventional system modification | $50 |
| advanced or alternative system construction | $150 |
| advanced or alternative system modification | $75 |
| commercial system construction/modification | $150 |
| re-inspection | $50 |
| variance | $50 |