State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-mexico > Chapter-72 > Article-12 > Section-72-12-25

72-12-25. Declaration of basin; nonpotable deep aquifers.

A.     An undeclared underground water basin having reasonably ascertainable boundaries that consists of an aquifer, the top of which aquifer is at a depth of two thousand five hundred feet or more below the ground surface at any location at which a well is drilled and which aquifer contains only nonpotable water, is subject to state engineer administration in accordance with Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978. 

B.     If the state engineer declares the type of underground water basin described in Subsection A of this section, all appropriations of nonpotable water from that basin for: 

(1)     oil and gas exploration and production, prospecting, mining, road construction, agriculture, generation of electricity, use in an industrial process or geothermal use shall remain subject to Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978; and 

(2)     all other uses shall be subject to Sections 72-12-1 through 72-12-24 NMSA 1978. 

C.     "Nonpotable water", for the purpose of Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978, means water containing not less than one thousand parts per million of dissolved solids.

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-mexico > Chapter-72 > Article-12 > Section-72-12-25

72-12-25. Declaration of basin; nonpotable deep aquifers.

A.     An undeclared underground water basin having reasonably ascertainable boundaries that consists of an aquifer, the top of which aquifer is at a depth of two thousand five hundred feet or more below the ground surface at any location at which a well is drilled and which aquifer contains only nonpotable water, is subject to state engineer administration in accordance with Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978. 

B.     If the state engineer declares the type of underground water basin described in Subsection A of this section, all appropriations of nonpotable water from that basin for: 

(1)     oil and gas exploration and production, prospecting, mining, road construction, agriculture, generation of electricity, use in an industrial process or geothermal use shall remain subject to Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978; and 

(2)     all other uses shall be subject to Sections 72-12-1 through 72-12-24 NMSA 1978. 

C.     "Nonpotable water", for the purpose of Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978, means water containing not less than one thousand parts per million of dissolved solids.


State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > New-mexico > Chapter-72 > Article-12 > Section-72-12-25

72-12-25. Declaration of basin; nonpotable deep aquifers.

A.     An undeclared underground water basin having reasonably ascertainable boundaries that consists of an aquifer, the top of which aquifer is at a depth of two thousand five hundred feet or more below the ground surface at any location at which a well is drilled and which aquifer contains only nonpotable water, is subject to state engineer administration in accordance with Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978. 

B.     If the state engineer declares the type of underground water basin described in Subsection A of this section, all appropriations of nonpotable water from that basin for: 

(1)     oil and gas exploration and production, prospecting, mining, road construction, agriculture, generation of electricity, use in an industrial process or geothermal use shall remain subject to Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978; and 

(2)     all other uses shall be subject to Sections 72-12-1 through 72-12-24 NMSA 1978. 

C.     "Nonpotable water", for the purpose of Sections 72-12-25 through 72-12-28 NMSA 1978, means water containing not less than one thousand parts per million of dissolved solids.