This rule was filed as NMPSC 950.

 

TITLE 17               PUBLIC UTILITIES AND UTILITY SERVICES

CHAPTER 13       SEWER SERVICES

PART 950             MINIMUM STANDARDS FOR DESIGN, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATION OF

                                SEWER UTILITIES

 

17.13.950.1          ISSUING AGENCY:  New Mexico Public Service Commission [New Mexico Public Regulation Commission].

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.2          SCOPE:  NMPSC Rule 950 [17.13.950 NMAC] is applicable to all sewer utilities under the jurisdiction of the New Mexico Public Service Commission [New Mexico Public Regulation Commission].

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.3          STATUTORY AUTHORITY:

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.4          DURATION:

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.5          EFFECTIVE DATE:

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.6          OBJECTIVE:  The purpose of NMPSC Rule 950 [17.13.950 NMAC] is to promote good public utility practices, to encourage efficiency and economy, and to establish minimum standards to be observed in the design, construction, and operation of sewer facilities by sewer utilities operating under the jurisdiction of the Commission.  The standards herein prescribed are intended as minimum standards.

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.7          DEFINITIONS:

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.8          [TABLE OF CONTENTS]

                A.            General Provisions

                    (1)     Purpose [17.13.950.6 NMAC]

                    (2)     Applicability [17.13.950.2 NMAC]

                    (3)     Variances 17.13.950.9 NMAC]

                B.            Records and Reports [17.13.950.10 NMAC]

                    (1)     System Plans and Specifications

                    (2)     Construction Dates

                    (3)     Meter Records

                    (4)     Other Records

                    (5)     Location of Records

                    (6)     Reports to the Commission

                C.            Safety [17.13.950.11 NMAC]

                              (1)     Safety Requirements

                              (2)     Accident Reporting

                              (3)     Maintenance and Operation of Facilities

                D.            Design and Construction [17.13.950.12 NMAC]

                              (1)     General Design and Construction

                              (2)     Standardizing

                              (3)     Service Connections

                              (4)     Measuring Devices

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.9          GENERAL PROVISIONS:  Variances:  In those cases where the application of any of the provisions of NMPSC Rule 950 [17.13.950 NMAC] results in undue hardship or expense to the utility, it may request specific relief from the Commission.

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.10        RECORDS AND REPORTS:

                A.            System Plans and Specifications:  Each utility shall maintain on file system plans and specifications in accordance with the guidelines specified in the New Mexico Health and Environment Department's publication titled "Guidelines for Wastewater Collection and Treatment Works in New Mexico" as may be revised from time to time.

                B.            Construction Dates:  Each utility shall maintain at its office the date of construction of all principle items of plant and extensions of mains.

                C.            Meter Records:  Each utility shall maintain at its office the installation and meter test history on each meter.

                D.            Other Records:  Monthly records should be maintained on energy usage, chemical usage, volume of influent treated, and volume of effluent and sludge discharged.

                E.             Location of Records:  All records required by NMPSC Rule 950 [17.13.950 NMAC] shall be kept at the principal office of the utility or other suitable storage place located within the state and shall be made available to representatives, agents, or employees of the Commission upon reasonable notice and at all reasonable hours.

                F.             Reports to the Commission:  The utility shall furnish the results of summaries of any tests required by NMPSC Rule 950 to the Commission at such times and in such form as the Commission may require. The utility shall also furnish the Commission with any information concerning the utility's facilities or operations which the Commission may request and need for determining rates or judging the practices of the utility.

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.11        SAFETY:

                A.            Safety Requirements:  Each utility shall exercise reasonable care to reduce the hazards to which its employees, its customers, and the general public may be subjected as a result of the utility's operations.  The utility shall require employees to use suitable tools and equipment for performing their work safely, shall instruct employees in safe methods of performing their work, and shall maintain suitable first aid equipment for employees.

                B.            Accident Reporting:  The utility shall promptly notify the Commission in the event of a fatal accident involving the utility, and it shall notify the Commission of any other accidents when prescribed by the Commission.

                C.            Maintenance and Operation of Facilities:  Each utility shall maintain its facilities to insure safe and adequate service.  The utility shall inspect the condition of the system periodically, at intervals of no less than once every three months, and maintain records of the inspections and their findings to aid in the maintenance of the plant.

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.12        DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION:

                A.            General Design and Construction:  General design and construction of wastewater collection and treatment facilities shall be in accordance with the guidelines specified in the New Mexico Health and Environment Department's publication titled "Guidelines for Wastewater Collection and Treatment Works in New Mexico" as may be revised from time to time.

                B.            Standardizing:  To preclude costly duplication of stocked piping material the utility may properly require that a specific material shall be used throughout at the discretion of the utility.

                C.            Service Connections:

                    (1)     The size, design, material, and installation of the service pipe shall conform to the reasonable requirements of the utility.

                    (2)     Whenever feasible all service pipes shall be installed below the frost line to prevent freezing and at a depth adequate to protect the pipes from surface activity, gardening, etc.

                D.            Measuring Devices:  Each utility shall install a suitable totalizing measuring device or otherwise determine inlet flows into a treatment facility and discharge flows from the treatment facility so that an accurate record may be maintained of the quantity of effluent treated by the utility on a monthly basis.

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

17.13.950.13        [HISTORY:  NMPSC Case No. 2277, order dated December 29, 1989, unless otherwise noted.]

[Recompiled 12/30/01]

 

HISTORY OF 17.13.950 NMAC:

Pre-NMAC History:  The material in this part was derived from that previously filed with the Commission of Public Records-State Records Center and Archives.

NMPSC Rule 950, Minimum Standards For Design, Construction, And Operation Of Sewer Utilities, 12/29/89.

 

History of Repealed Material:  [RESERVED]