45th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2002

SUPPORTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF LA SEMILLA ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION AND LIQUID WASTE TRAINING FACILITY TO PROVIDE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TRAINING AND DEMONSTRATIONS TO DESIGNERS, INSTALLERS, CONTRACTORS, BUSINESSES, PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND THE PUBLIC REGARDING ON-SITE LIQUID WASTE SYSTEMS, WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT, RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND WATER REUSE.

WHEREAS, there are approximately one hundred eighty thousand on-site liquid waste systems in New Mexico, discharging about sixty-eight million gallons of sewage effluent per day; and

WHEREAS, discharges from on-site liquid waste systems are the second largest source of ground water contamination in the state; and

WHEREAS, on-site liquid waste systems are responsible for approximately sixty-one percent of the water supply well contamination in New Mexico; and

WHEREAS, most areas of population growth in the state are poorly suited for the installation of on-site liquid waste systems; and

WHEREAS, discharges from on-site liquid waste systems contain organisms that transmit disease and infection; and

WHEREAS, as long as they are properly designed, installed and maintained, on-site liquid waste systems can be an economical and environmentally sound waste treatment option for rural areas and small communities; and

WHEREAS, the success of on-site liquid waste systems depends on well-trained and educated designers and installers; and

WHEREAS, there is currently no facility in New Mexico to educate and train on-site liquid waste system designers and installers;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that it support the creation and establishment of La Semilla environmental education and liquid waste training facility, located on the Mesa del Sol state trust land near the city of Albuquerque, in its effort to educate and train on-site liquid waste system designers and installers, contractors, public officials and the public regarding the design, installation and maintenance of on-site liquid waste systems; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the La Semilla facility be requested to assist businesses in responding to new liquid waste and wastewater regulations, to train businesses and the general public on wastewater reuse and to demonstrate to businesses and the public cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the facility be requested to provide hands-on demonstrations of current, new and emerging technologies, as well as practical, updated training, and to provide a venue for the public to see new technologies and methods of energy, resource, water and wastewater management; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the facility be requested to allow the university of New Mexico, New Mexico institute of mining and technology and New Mexico state university to use the facility to conduct research and demonstrate new and advanced technologies in on-site liquid waste treatment, wastewater treatment, wastewater reuse and energy and resource management; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that copies of this memorial be forwarded to the department of environment, the state land office, the university of New Mexico, the New Mexico institute of mining and technology and New Mexico state university.