New Mexico Administrative Code › Title 20 - ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION › Chapter 7 - WASTEWATER AND WATER SUPPLY FACILITIES › Part 6 - WASTEWATER FACILITY CONSTRUCTION LOAN POLICIES AND GUIDELINES › Section 20.7.6.16 - PROJECT PLANNING GUIDELINES

Current through Register Vol. 35, No. 13, July 16, 2024
A.
				Facilities planning consists of those necessary plans and studies that directly
				relate to treatment works or other eligible projects needed to comply with
				enforceable requirements of the Federal Clean Water Act and New Mexico Water
				Quality Act. Facilities planning will substantiate the need for the proposed
				facilities. It is a systematic evaluation of alternatives in regard to unique
				demographic, topographic, hydrologic, and institutional characteristics of the
				area that demonstrates that the selected alternative is cost effective in
				meeting the applicable effluent, groundwater, and surface water quality and
				public health requirements over the design life of the facility or other
				eligible project (while recognizing environmental and other nonmonetary
				considerations).
B. The most
				important outcome of the planning process is the selection of the best water
				pollution control alternative. The facilities plan (feasibility report or
				engineer's report) should include:
(1) A
				description of the proposed project and the complete system of which it is a
				part.
(2) A description of the best
				practicable water pollution control technology (BPWPCT).
(3) A cost-effective analysis of the project
				in meeting enforceable requirements over the design life of the project which
				includes a 30-year reserve capacity, if appropriate. Costs to be considered
				must include the present worth or equivalent annual value of all capital costs
				as well as operation and maintenance costs. Population forecasts should be
				consistent with the state needs survey.
(4) An evaluation of improved water quality
				attainable by upgrading the operation and maintenance ("O & M") and
				efficiency of existing facilities as an alternative to new
				construction.
(5) Cost information
				on total capital costs and annual O & M as well as estimated annual or
				monthly costs to residential and commercial users.
(6) A demonstration of the nonexistence or
				possible existence of excessive infiltration/inflow in an existing
				system.
(7) An adequate evaluation
				of the environmental impacts of alternatives.
(8) An evaluation of the water supply
				implications of the project.
(9)
				For the selected alternative, a concise description of relevant design
				parameters.
(10) A description of
				the proposed pretreatment program if applicable.
(11) A demonstration that the selected
				alternative is consistent with the applicable water quality management (WQM)
				plan.
(12) Demonstration that the
				borrower has the legal, institutional, managerial, and financial capability to
				ensure adequate construction and operation and maintenance of the treatment
				works throughout the service area. Financial capability to service this loan
				must also be demonstrated.
(13)
				Summary of public participation in the development of the facilities
				plan.