Establishing the New Mexico Water Quality Act to prevent and abate water pollution within the state

This law establishes the New Mexico Water Quality Act (WQA), which is administered by the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and protects state’s water quality. Anyone intending to discharge a water contaminant is required to provide notice to the NMED and to create a discharge plan. Water used for irrigation and agricultural purposes are exempt from the discharge plan requirement, which can remove administrative and permitting requirements from urban farms and gardens.