2026 Triennial Review

In accordance with Section 303(c)(1) of the Clean Water Act and 20.6.4.10 New Mexico Administrative Code, states are required to hold public hearings at least once every three years to review water quality standards, as applicable. This is referred to as a “Triennial Review. Pursuant to Section 74-6-4(F) of the State’s Water Quality Act, the Water Quality Control Commission delegated the New Mexico Environment Department the responsibility for organizing and proposing amendments to the surface water quality standards, codified under 20.6.4 NMAC. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved the 2020 Triennial Review on January 20, 2023.

Currently, NMED has released a Public Review Draft for the 2026 Triennial Review and is accepting comments on the proposed amendments from August 15, 2025 – October 14, 2025. Additionally, SWQB will be holding a virtual public meeting on September 10, 2025, starting at 5:30 PM. Please see the table below for important documents, links to more information, and NMED’s events calendar. The events calendar provides the link to join the meeting.

After considering public comment, NMED plans to petition the WQCC in December for a rulemaking hearing in the second half of 2026. Please revisit this webpage often as it will be updated throughout the rulemaking process. You may also sign up for the Surface Water Quality Bureau’s email list at: https://www.env.nm.gov/surface-water-quality and click on the “Subscribe to SWQB News” button on the bottom of the home page.

Return to our Water Quality Standards webpage

Visit our WQS Amendments webpage for previous Triennial Review information.