The Surface Water Quality Bureau preserves, protects, and improves New Mexico’s surface water quality for present and future generations.

This is accomplished through three bureau sections:

• Monitoring, Assessment, and Standards Section – Tasked with collecting surface water quality data, development of surface water quality standards, performing water quality assessments (ie: 303(d) List), and TMDL development.
• Point Source Regulation Section – Tasked with implementing ground and surface water protection regulations related to point source pollution permitting (NPDES) and spill reporting.
• Watershed Protection Section – Tasked with protecting watersheds from other fOrms of pollution (nonpoint source) through overseeing and funding watershed improvement projects.
• SPECIAL TOPICS:
  • Surface Water Quality State Permitting Program
  • NMED-SWQB ArcGIS StoryMaps
  • Wildfire Impacts on Surface Water Quality