Resources for Public Water Systems

This page provides some tools and resources for public water system board members, operators and administrative staff,

Assistance Providers & Other Agency Resources:

New Mexico Rural Water Association (NMRWA)

• Technical and Financial Assistance
• Training – for operator, board, and utility staff
• Source Water Protection
• Job opportunities
• NM WARN – New Mexico Water / Wastewater Agency Response Network (emergency planning & assistance)

New Mexico Water and Wastewater Association (NMWWA)

• Training
• Job Opportunities

Rural Communities Assistance Corporation (RCAC)

• Technical assistance
• Guidebooks for funding and financial management, sustainable utility management, small systems, and more
• Trainings

Southwest Environmental Finance Center (SWEFC) at UNM

• Assistance and Training
• Services include: Assent Management, water loss control & audits, financial sustainability, and much more

Resources By Topic:

Asset Management

• Asset Management Resources for Small Systems (EPA)
• Asset Management: A Handbook for Small Water Systems (EPA)
• A.M. Kan Work: An Asset Management and Energy Efficiency Manual (SWEFC)

Boards and Managers

• 2024 Regulatory Requirements for MDWCAs
• 2024 Regulatory Calendar for MDWCAs
• Inspection of Public Records Act Compliance Guide (NM Office of Attorney General)
• New MDWCA Certificate of Association Template
• Open Meetings Act Compliance Guide (NM Office of Attorney General)
• Rosenberg’s Rules of Order

Capacity Development Strategy

Capacity Development Strategy 2023-2026

Consumer Confidence Reports

• CCR iWriter
• EPA Consumer Confidence Report

Cross Connections

• Cross Connection Control Manual (EPA)

Drought

• National Drought Mitigation Center (NDMC)
• New Mexico Drought Taskforce
• NMED Drought Information for Public Water Utilities

Energy Use

• Energy Use Assessments at Water & Wastewater Systems Guide (EPA)

Emergency Response & Security

• Public Water System Emergency Response Plan
• Emergency Response for Drinking Water and Wastewater Utilities (EPA)
• Features of an Active and Effective Protective Program (EPA)
• Tabletop Exercise Tool for Water Systems: Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Climate Resiliency (EPA)

Flooding

• Flood Information (CDC)

Operations & Maintenance

• Operation and Maintenance Plan Template

Operators

• Operator Roles and Responsibilities: A Best Practices Guide (EPA)
• Contract Operators – A contract template for public water systems

Sustainability

• Building Sustainable Water Infrastructure (EPA)
• Planning for Sustainability: A Handbook for Water and Wastewater Utilities (EPA)

Water Conservation

• New Mexico’s Water Conservation Planning Guide for Public Water Suppliers (NM OSE)

Water and Sewer Rate Surveys

Each year, NMED asks public water systems throughout the state to participate in a Water and Sewer Rate Survey. The survey requests information on charges, production and water loss from the previous year. The survey information is frequently requested by decision makers and funding providers and is useful in evaluating costs of water and sewer utility service in New Mexico. The survey can be found here.