This is a notification that EPA’s public notice and associated federal comment period have been opened for the draft permit of the Town of Taos  Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit number NM0024066. 

Additionally, NMED has opened the simultaneous comment period for the Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification of the draft NPDES permit.

When EPA Region 6 drafts a NPDES permit for a discharge into one of New Mexico’s surface waters, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is required to provide concurrence that the discharge will not negatively affect the receiving waterbodies. This is documented through the 401 Certification and is required in accordance with 20.6.2.2001 NMAC. NMED can make the draft permit more stringent if based on state law or can make comments to EPA for consideration in the final permit. NMED also has the authority to deny certification if the permitting circumstances will not guarantee that the discharge will meet water quality standards. 

The facility is located 182 Los Cordovas Road, Ranchos de Taos, Taos County, New Mexico. The discharges from the facility are to an unnamed arroyo, thence to the Rio Pueblo de Taos, and thence to the Rio Grande in Segment 20.6.4.122 NMAC of the Rio Grande Basin in Taos County, New Mexico. 

The draft permit, draft fact sheet/statement of basis, and other associated information can be found at the EPA Public Notice website and/or the NMED Public Notice website. 

EPA has included the per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) monitoring requirements based on the memo from EPA headquarters addressing PFAS discharges in NPDES Permits and through the Pretreatment Program and Monitoring Programs.

For more information on the draft permit, contact Susan A. Lucas Kamat at (505) 946-8924 or psrs.program.manager@env.nm.gov.

NMED SWQB will accept written comments until the end of the business day (5pm MST) on Monday, May 12, 2025.

Individuals who submit public comments will be added to the NMED email listserv.

Persons who need language services (e.g., assistance for an interpreter) or persons with disabilities who need services to participate in this public process should contact Susan A. Lucas Kamat at (505) 946-8924 or susan.lucaskamat@env.nm.gov. TDD or TTY users please access the number via the New Mexico Relay Network, 1-800-659-1779 (voice); TTY users: 1-800-659-8331.

NMED does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age or sex in the administration of its programs or activities, as required by applicable laws and regulations. If you have any questions about any of the NMED’s non-discrimination programs, policies or procedures, you may contact: Kate Cardenas, NMED Non-Discrimination Coordinator, at (505) 827-2855 or nd.coordinator@env.nm.gov. If you believe that you have been discriminated against with respect to a NMED program or activity, you may contact the Non-Discrimination Coordinator identified above or visit our Non-Discrimination website to learn how and where to file a complaint of discrimination.