Safe Water & Septic Practices
There are over 1,500 people living in Tesuque Village and the Pueblo depending on ground-water for our homes, gardens, animals and agriculture. The purpose of this page is to help us keep the groundwater supplying our wells as clean as possible.
THE BIG FOUR
• Pump your septic tank every 3 to 5 years
• Conserve water
• Know what can and what should not be put down sinks and toilets (see do & don’t list below)
• Inspect the drain field every year.
HOW YOUR SEPTIC SYSTEM WORKS
Toilet and sink water flowing into a septic tank remains there from 24 - 48 hours while small amounts of oils and grease float to the top as scum and solids settle to the bottom as a sludge to eventually be pumped and trucked away for disposal.
A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL
SEPTIC TANK
A TYPICAL RESIDENTIAL
SEPTIC system
• No cat litter (even if labeled “flushable” it will harden in your pipes. Also cat waste can carry a parasite that septic tank bacteria cannot destroy.)
• No sticky labels from produce
• No medicines or antibiotics
• No pesticides
• No oil or latex paint or solvents (both types clog pipes)
• Do not empty a hot tub into a septic tank. Too much water at one time can push tank solids into the drain field where it can clog holes in its distribution pipes.
• No gasoline, oil, anti freeze or caustic cleaners
• Avoid anything that is greasy, oily, fatty, sticky (like honey), can expand, is fibrous, starchy, or hard.
RESOURCES
SEPTIC SERVICES
Richardson’s Excavating & Trenching (505) 455-2293
Yardman Septic Tank Service (505) 983 6052
Pump Masters Septic Service (505) 471 6169
AAA Allied Septic Service (505) 982 2242
WELL SERVICES
Boylan Water Well Service & Supplies (505) 438 3416
Romero’s Water Well Pumps & Electrical Contracting Svc. (505) 455 7758
WATER TESTING
The New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) will test home well water at no cost for iron, nitrates and fluoride. Santa Fe office, (505) 827 1840
NEW MEXICO PUBLIC HEALTH TRACKING
Comprehensive information on questions related to water and health plus a list of certified testing labs.
1-833-796-8773. https://phdp.doh.nm.gov/health-topics/nm-tracking/drinking-water-quality
NEW MEXICO LAW
The law governing residential liquid waste is New Mexico Administrative Code (NMAC) 20.7.3 Liquid Waste and Treatment Regulations protecting public health & groundwater with standards for septic systems and on-site treatment. The code can be found here: https://www.srca.nm.gov/parts/title20/20.007.0003.html