New Mexico Administrative Code

[RESERVED]

A. The lands declared within the Hot Springs Artesian Basin on April 15, 1935, are as follows: TOWNSHIP RANGE SECTIONS 13 S. 4 W. 27 thru 34 13 S. 5 W. 25 thru 28, 33 thru 36 14 S. 4 W. Portions of 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 North and West of Rio Grande 14 S. 5…

Office of State Engineer.

[RESERVED]

Adopted pursuant to the authority of Sections 72-2-8, 72-2-12 and 72-13-4, New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1978.

[Permanent]

November 1, 1966

This Rule is formulated for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the statutes governing underground waters and describing the present extent of all declared underground water basins in New Mexico.

[RESERVED]

A. The lands declared within the Hueco Underground Water Basin on September 12, 1980, are as follows: Beginning at a point on the New Mexico-Texas state boundary at which the west line of Section 35, Township 26 South, Range 4 East intersects said boundary; thence northerly along…

Office of State Engineer.

[RESERVED]

Adopted pursuant to the authority of Sections 72-2-8, 72-2-12 and 72-13-4, New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1978.

[Permanent]

November 1, 1966

This Rule is formulated for the purpose of carrying out the provisions of the statutes governing underground waters and describing the present extent of all declared underground water basins in New Mexico.

[RESERVED]

A. The lands declared within the Jal Basin on November 24, 1961, are as follows: TOWNSHIP RANGE SECTIONS 26 S. 35 E. SE 1/4 12, E 1/2 13, E 1/2 24, 26 S. 36 E. S 1/2 7, S 1/2 8, S 1/2 9, SW 1/4 10, W 1/2 15, All 16 thru 21, W 1/2 22, W 1/2 27, All 28 & 29, N 1/2 & SE 1/4 30, N 1/…

Office of the State Engineer.

A. Bond requirements: A well driller shall have a bond in the penal sum of five thousand dollars ($5,000) on a form acceptable to the state engineer. The surety backing the bond shall be acceptable to the state engineer. A well driller's license shall be valid only so long as the…

If the state engineer finds that an applicant has fulfilled the requirements for licensure, the state engineer shall issue a well driller's license and a well driller's identification card to the applicant. A. Application - form and content: A well driller's license application s…

The well driller's license amendment application shall be filed with the state engineer to provide notification of any change to information provided for the current well driller's license or to request to engage in additional well drilling activities. A well driller shall notify…

A well driller's license shall expire on the date set out on the well driller's license. A well driller shall file a well driller's license renewal application in accordance with 19.27.4.20 NMAC at least 10 days prior to the expiration date. If a well driller fails to file a well…

These regulations apply to well driller licensing, drill rig supervisor registration, and well drilling within the state of New Mexico. These rules do not apply to: A. work on pumping equipment; B. oil wells; C. gas wells; D. cathodic protection wells; E. geothermal resources, as…

A well driller's license renewal application shall be filed with the state engineer at least 10 days prior to the expiration date. A. Application - form and content: A well driller's license renewal application shall be completed on a form prescribed by the state engineer. The ap…

The state engineer may issue a written reprimand, a compliance order issued pursuant to Section 72-2-18 NMSA, or, after notice and hearing held pursuant to 19.25.2 NMAC, suspend or revoke a well driller's license if it is found that a well driller: A. made a material misstatement…

A well driller with a revoked license is prohibited from engaging in well drilling activities, unless working under the supervision of a licensed well driller. License revocation may also result in the forfeiture of the well driller bond as set forth in Subsection A of 19.27.4.12…

A drill rig supervisor may provide onsite supervision of well drilling activities. A drill rig supervisor shall work under the direction of a well driller. The well driller is responsible for the actions of each drill rig supervisor that they direct to provide onsite supervision …

If the state engineer finds that the applicant has fulfilled the requirements for registration as set forth in 19.27.4.25 NMAC, the state engineer shall register the applicant as a drill rig supervisor. The registration shall set forth the conditions under which the drill rig sup…

A drill rig supervisor may retain their registration by request on the well driller's license renewal application for whom they are registered. A. Application - form and content: The application shall be the well driller's license renewal application that includes all drill rig s…

All wells shall be constructed in such a manner as to prevent contamination from entering the well or subsurface, to prevent commingling or inter-aquifer exchange of groundwater, to prevent loss of hydraulic head between hydrogeologic units, and to prevent unintended flood waters…

Section 72-12-1 NMSA provides that the water of underground streams, channels, artesian basins, reservoirs, or lakes having reasonably ascertainable boundaries are declared to be public waters which belong to the public and are subject to appropriation for beneficial use. Section…

A well driller shall ensure that the well drilling activities associated with the drilling of non-artesian wells are made in accordance with 19.27.4.29 NMAC and the following requirements: A. Annular seal: All wells shall be constructed to prevent contaminants from entering the b…

Artesian wells shall be constructed such that groundwater does not move appreciably between hydrogeologic units nor flow uncontrolled to the ground surface. For regulatory purposes, the final determination of whether a well is artesian shall be based upon evaluations made by the …

Deep non-potable wells are wells administered under Article 12, Chapter 72-12-25 through Chapter 72-12-28 NMSA, and are defined as wells drilled or recompleted into an aquifer, the top of which aquifer is at a depth of 2500 feet or more below the ground surface at any location at…

Any person, firm, or corporation drilling a mine drill hole that penetrates a water-bearing stratum, whether confined or unconfined, shall immediately notify the state engineer by filing an application for permit to drill an exploratory well. The person, firm, or corporation shal…

The rules in 19.27.4.29, 19.27.4.30, 19.27.4.31 and 19.27.4.33 NMAC are not intended to cover every situation encountered during well drilling. Hydrogeologic conditions vary across the state, and may warrant the need to deviate from the rules contained in 19.27.4.29, 19.27.4.30, …

This part shall be liberally construed to carry out its purpose.

If any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or provision of this rule shall be held invalid, the invalidity of such section, paragraph, sentence, clause, word or provision shall not affect any of the remaining provisions of this rule.

Permanent.

June 30, 2017, unless a later date is cited at the end of a section.

To establish requirements for well drilling in order to ensure wells are designed, drilled, constructed, repaired and plugged in a safe manner.

Unless defined below or in a specific section of these rules, all other words used herein shall be given their customary and accepted meaning. A. Aquifer: A geologic formation, group of formations, or part of a formation that contains sufficient saturated permeable material to yi…

Any person who engages in well drilling activities shall obtain a well driller's license issued by the state engineer (except, under New Mexico state law, a well driller's license is not required for driven wells that do not require the use of a drill rig and which have an outsid…

Office of State Engineer.

[RESERVED]

Adopted pursuant to the authority of Sections 72-2-8, 72-2-12 and 72-13-4, New Mexico Statutes Annotated, 1978.