Bernalillo County Commissioners today invited the public to participate in upcoming listening sessions on a proposal that would require inspection and possible repairs for older septic systems, outside the city limits, in unincorporated Bernalillo County.
The pending change to the county code would require the county’s oldest septic systems to be inspected and repaired or replaced, if necessary, to stop pollution in groundwater. Household septic tanks are a major source of groundwater pollution in New Mexico.
The Bernalillo County Commission is currently scheduled to vote on the issue on March 13.
Today, roughly 750 septic systems in unincorporated Bernalillo County are at least 30-years-old and would be subject to inspection beginning in July 2012. The proposal applies to systems on lots three-quarters of an acre or smaller.
Homeowners would be required to pay for the cost of inspections, which would be performed by a private certified evaluator. Homeowners would also be required to pay for repairs to their septic systems if that system is causing pollution.
Low-income homeowners may be eligible for financial assistance to help with the cost of the inspection or repairs.
Systems built before 1982 would have to be evaluated by Dec. 31, 2015. Systems built between Jan. 1, 1982 and Jan. 1, 1990 would have to be evaluated by Dec. 31, 2020.
If the septic system failed the evaluation by a certified inspector, then the homeowner would be required to repair the system. If the system passes, then the next inspection would be due five years later.
Public comments can be e-mailed to
eh@bernco.gov or mailed to the Environmental Health Office at 111 Union Square S.E., Suite 300, Albuquerque, NM 87102.
The public is invited to attend any of the following meetings:
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Feb. 13, 6:15 -7:30 p.m.
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Los Vecinos Community Center
478 ½ Old Highway 66
Tijeras, NM 87059
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Feb. 16, 7-8 p.m.
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Los Padillas Community Center
2117 Los Padillas Road S.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87105
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Feb. 23, 6-7:30 p.m.
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James McGrane Public Safety Complex
48 Public School Road
Tijeras, NM 87059
Please note -- This is a general neighborhood meeting where other issues will be discussed as well.
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March 5, 6:45-8p.m.
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Hiland Theater
4800 Central Ave. S.E.
Albuquerque, NM 87108
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March 7, 7 p.m.
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Taylor Ranch Community Center
4900 Kachina Street N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87120
Please note -- This is a general neighborhood meeting where other issues will be discussed as well.
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March 8, 7 p.m.
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Raymond G. Sanchez Community Center
9800 4th Street N.W.
Albuquerque, NM 87114
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