N.M. Admin. Code § 19.27.5.7

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 20, October 22, 2024

Section 19.27.5.7 - DEFINITIONS

Unless defined below or in a specific section of these regulations, all other words used herein shall be given their customary and accepted meaning.

A.72-12-1.1 domestic well permit: A permit issued for domestic use in accordance with Section 72-12-1.1 NMSA or its predecessor statutes. Included in this definition are 72-12-1.1 domestic well permits that have been adjudicated.

B.72-12-1.1 domestic well: The point of diversion authorized under a 72-12-1.1 domestic well permit.

C. Administrative guidelines: A compilation of policies and procedures intended to provide guidance to office of the state engineer personnel for processing pending and future water rights applications in a specifically defined geographic area. The administrative guidelines shall not limit the state engineer's authority to take alternative or additional actions relating to the management of the water resources of the specifically defined geographic area as provided by New Mexico statutes, orders of the court, or the written rules and regulations of the state engineer.

D. Association: A water users association established under the Sanitary Projects Act (Section 3-29-2(B) NMSA).

E. Consumptive use: The quantity of water consumed during the application of water to beneficial use. The quantity of water beneficially consumed depends on the requirements of a particular enterprise and how it applies and consumes the water. The authorized diversion of water that is not beneficially consumed in the course of water use is not part of the allowable consumptive use allocation of the water right. The consumptive use of water by a crop (evapotranspiration) does not include depletions such as evaporation from canals, ditches or irrigated fields during surface application, transpiration by vegetation along ditches, evaporation or leakage from irrigation water pipes, evaporation of sprinkler spray and drift losses, and evaporation of runoff and seepage from irrigated fields.

F. Domestic use: The use of water for household purposes or for the irrigation of not to exceed one acre of noncommercial trees, lawn, garden, or landscaping. Drinking and sanitary uses that are incidental to the operations of a governmental, commercial, or non-profit facility are included in this definition. This definition does not include the use of underground water from a well used primarily for livestock watering as provided for under Section 72-12-1.2 NMSA.

G. Domestic well management area: A bounded area overlying a stream-connected aquifer, specifically described by section, township and range, or by other land survey descriptions, that requires special water resource protection as determined by the state engineer.

H. Household: A single-family residence including outbuildings such as guesthouses, barns, and sheds.

I. Hydrologic unit: A physically definable, continuous and interconnected surface water or groundwater system. A hydrologic unit may consist of an aquifer, a group of interconnected aquifers, and any hydrologically connected springs, streams, rivers, lakes or other surface water bodies.

J. Infrastructure capacity area: An area defined by an association, based on factors determining the capacity to provide water, including, but not limited to, the location of existing lines, adequacy of existing infrastructure, the availability of water and water rights, and as reviewed by and then filed with the state engineer.

N.M. Admin. Code § 19.27.5.7

19.27.5.7 NMAC - N, 8-15-2006; A, 10-31-2011