Upcoming Events: 
Deming Water Fair       Saturday, March 28, 2009

MISSION: To preserve, protect, and improve New Mexico's ground-water quality for present and future generations.

OVERVIEW: The role of the Ground Water Quality Bureau is to protect the environmental quality of New Mexico’s ground water resources as mandated by the Water Quality Act and the Water Quality Control Commission (WQCC) regulations (20.6 NMAC), and to identify, investigate and clean-up contaminated sites which pose significant risks to human health and the environment.  The Ground Water Quality Bureau issues ground water pollution prevention permits; implements the department’s responsibilities under the New Mexico Mining Act to ensure that environmental issues are addressed and standards are met; oversees ground water investigation and remediation activities; and identifies, investigates and remediates inactive hazardous waste sites through implementation of the federal Superfund program, agreements between the state and responsible parties, and the voluntary remediation program.  The bureau also strives to increase industry and public understanding and awareness of the importance of safe ground water supplies in sustaining the quality of life in New Mexico for this and future generations, and the importance of protecting ground water quality through pollution prevention initiatives.

The Ground Water Quality Bureau includes 5 programs: the Ground Water Pollution Prevention Section, Mining Environmental Compliance Section, Remediation Oversight Section, Superfund Oversight Section, and Grants and Planning Section.