NMED News:
SANTA FE — The New Mexico Environment Department is highlighting the ongoing success of its Enforcement Watch initiative, a transparency-focused program providing the public with consistent and timely information about the Department’s enforcement actions across environmental protection, public health, and worker safety programs.
By making enforcement data accessible, Enforcement Watch reinforces NMED’s commitment to New Mexico residents for accountability and regulatory compliance statewide.
Launched in June 2023, Enforcement Watch shares monthly updates on enforcement actions and their resolutions.
These updates are broadly divided into two categories:
- Active Matters: Alleged violations of state regulations, rules, permits, or licenses that are currently under investigation or pending resolution.
- Resolved Matters: Cases that have been adjudicated in court or administratively resolved, including the full payment of any civil penalties.
Spotlight: Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau
A year after its creation, the New Mexico Environment Department’s Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau (WPCEB) is holding violators accountable for breaking the state’s water regulations and working to protect public health and the environment.
On July 14, 2026, WPCEB issued an Administrative Compliance Order with penalties against Cuba Water System for failing to submit required water quality reports, conduct asbestos testing, fix problems found during sanitary surveys, notify customers about lead risks, and employ a certified operator.
WPCEB fined Cuba Water System $134,740 in civil penalties for the violations. The bureau will continue working with the system to resolve the identified deficiencies and assure compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act and New Mexico’s Drinking Water Regulations.
Two days later—on July 16—WPCEB finalized a Settlement Agreement and Stipulated Final Order with Green Stream Farms LLC near Columbus in Luna County to resolve violations including discharging without a required permit and failing to comply with applicable regulations.
Under the agreement, Green Stream Farms LLC will pay $13,000 in civil penalties and $2,000 in administrative compliance costs. The company is now operating in compliance with applicable regulations and is working with NMED’s Ground Water Quality Bureau to renew its discharge permit.
“Enforcing New Mexico’s water regulations is essential to protecting the state’s water resources and the drinking water communities rely on,” said WPCEB Bureau Chief Avery Young. “It is equally important to work with public utilities to build the capacity they need to maintain long-term compliance, as reliable drinking water and wastewater systems are essential to New Mexicans’ daily lives.”
Enforcement Watch updates for July 2026
In July 2026, the Compliance and Enforcement Division added 94 new cases to Active Matters and resolved 54, demonstrating ongoing enforcement and accountability across the state.
The following enforcement cases were initiated in July:
- 58 notices of violation issued by the Food Safety Program to retail food establishments
- 30 notices of violation issued by the Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau
- 4 notices of violation issued by the Resource Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau
- 2 notices of violation issued by the Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau
The following enforcement cases were resolved in July:
- 25 cases in the Food Safety Program to retail food establishments
- 19 cases in the Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau
- 6 cases in the Resource Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau
- 4 cases in the Occupational Health and Safety Bureau
Highlights of alleged violations and resolved enforcement actions in July include:
- The Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued a Notice of Violation to Lea Midstream LLC of Dallas, Texas, for 11 violations at the Dude Processing Plant, located northwest of Monument, New Mexico. The notice cites excess emissions, late reporting of excess emissions, improper operation of the facility’s flare, and other violations of New Mexico air quality regulations and the federal Clean Air Act.
- The Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued a Administrative Compliance Order to Mora Mutual Domestic Water Consumers and Mutual Sewage Association of Mora for discharging refuse, unauthorized discharges from impoundments, exceeding wildlife habitat and chronic aquatic life standards for chlorine, and other violations of the New Mexico Water Quality Act and New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission regulations.
- The Environmental Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued a Notice of Violation to Artesia PTU LLC of Norco, Louisiana for exceeding volatile organic compound (VOC) emission limits for the PTU VOC Vents unit and failing to timely report excess emissions at its facility in Artesia, in violation of 20.2.7.110.A NMAC.
- The Water Protection Compliance and Enforcement Bureau issued a Notice of Violation
to Pojoaque Terraces Mobile Home Park in Santa Fe County for exceeding the uranium Maximum Contaminant Level at Entry Point #1 during the first quarter of 2026.
Enforcement Watch provides the public, the business community, environmental nongovernment organizations, and municipal governments with easy access to see which organizations NMED has alleged are in violation of regulations, permits, and/or licenses administered by the Department. It is updated when violations are alleged or resolved. Retrospective enforcement matters are added as staffing resources allow. Organizations remain on Enforcement Watch until the alleged violations are corrected to the satisfaction of the Department.
The easiest way for an organization to avoid appearing on the Enforcement Watch is to stay off it in the first place by remaining in full compliance with applicable regulations. NMED encourages organizations that are unclear of their regulatory responsibilities to contact a consultant and conduct a third-party compliance audit and disclose potential violations.
NMED provides detailed compliance and enforcement metrics in the Compliance Measures section of the Quarterly Performance Report.
The full Enforcement Watch can be viewed at https://www.env.nm.gov/enforcement-watch.
