News Releases from Region 06

EPA Approves New Mexico List of Impaired Waters

DALLAS – (Sept. 26, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved New Mexico’s 2016 list of impaired waters, which includes 427 causes of impairment for 255 water body segments. States are required to develop a list of impaired water bodies every two years, and this action replaces the 2014 list.

On June 29, 2016, the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) submitted its impaired waters list to EPA for review and approval as required by the Clean Water Act. The act requires EPA to review the state’s list of impaired waters to determine if the state reasonably considered available water quality-related data, and identifies waters to be listed.

A water body is placed on the impaired waters list when monitoring finds that pollutant levels prevent the lake, river, or stream from attaining its designated beneficial uses. Beneficial uses in New Mexico include human recreation, agricultural water supply and maintaining healthy aquatic life.

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