Enchanted Hills Sewer and Storm Drain Bylaws

Utilities and Infrastructure New Mexico 4 Minutes Read · published March 01, 2026 Flag of New Mexico

Enchanted Hills, New Mexico residents and businesses must prevent harmful discharges to the sewer system and storm drains to protect public health and local waterways. This FAQ explains how discharge limits are enforced, where to find permits, how to report spills or illicit connections, and what steps to take if you receive an enforcement notice. Because no online municipal ordinance for Enchanted Hills was found, this article references New Mexico state and federal programs that typically govern discharge standards and enforcement for municipalities and utilities.

Contact your local utilities or public works office first for city-specific rules.

Overview of Discharge Limits

Municipal discharge limits commonly restrict: pollutants that cause toxicity, oil and grease, hazardous substances, excessive pH, biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), and total suspended solids (TSS). Specific numeric limits are normally set through municipal ordinances, local sewer use ordinances, or through permits issued under state and federal programs. For statewide permits and guidance see the New Mexico Environment Department stormwater program NMED Stormwater Program[1] and the federal NPDES permit program EPA NPDES[2]. For regulatory authority and statewide rules see the Water Quality Control Commission pages New Mexico WQCC[3].

Penalties & Enforcement

Because a municipal Enchanted Hills ordinance could not be located online, local enforcement details are not specified on a city page. In practice, enforcement may involve municipal code officers, public works, or referral to the New Mexico Environment Department under state law; state and federal penalties may apply where permits or statutes are violated. The citations below link to state and federal enforcement programs for examples of authority and procedures.

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited municipal page; state or federal enforcement may impose civil penalties as provided in state statutes or the Clean Water Act.
  • Escalation: first, repeat, and continuing offences are typically subject to increasing fines or orders—but specific ranges are not specified on a municipal page.
  • Enforcer: where no city ordinance is published, enforcement is generally the responsibility of local utilities or code enforcement and, for permit violations, the New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water programs.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: common tools include stop-work orders, compliance orders, injunctive relief, or referral to state or federal agencies (not specified on a municipal page).
  • Inspections and complaints: residents should report discharges or illicit connections to local public works and may also notify NMED via the stormwater contact pages linked below.
If you receive a notice, note the deadline for appeal and act promptly.

Applications & Forms

Permits and forms are typically issued by state or federal programs when a municipal ordinance is not posted. Examples include NPDES permit applications and state permit forms; municipal-specific sewer use permit forms were not located on an Enchanted Hills site and thus are not specified on a cited municipal page. See the cited state and federal pages for permit names, application steps, and where to submit forms.

Keep documentation of sampling, permits, and communications in case of enforcement.

Common Violations

  • Illicit connections of industrial drains to storm sewers.
  • Construction site sediment runoff without controls.
  • Discharge of oil, chemicals, or sanitary sewage to storm drains.

Action Steps

  • Report visible discharges to Enchanted Hills public works or code enforcement (if available) and to NMED via the stormwater contact page NMED Stormwater Program[1].
  • If you operate an industrial or construction site, confirm whether you need an NPDES permit at the EPA NPDES portal EPA NPDES[2].
  • Keep records of monitoring, sampling, and any corrective actions to support an appeal or to demonstrate compliance.

FAQ

Who sets numerical discharge limits for Enchanted Hills sewer or storm drains?
Specific municipal limits were not found for Enchanted Hills; numeric limits are usually set in a city sewer use ordinance or within NPDES permits administered by the New Mexico Environment Department or EPA.[1][2]
How do I report a spill or an illicit discharge?
Report to local public works or code enforcement first, and notify NMED via its stormwater/contact pages if the discharge affects waters or violates permit terms.[1]
Are there permits for construction-related stormwater discharges?
Yes—construction sites commonly require coverage under NPDES construction stormwater permits; check federal and state permit pages for application and coverage details.[2]

How-To

  1. Identify the discharge location, take photos, and record date/time.
  2. Contact Enchanted Hills public works or local code enforcement to report the issue.
  3. If the discharge affects waterways, notify NMED via the Stormwater Program contact page and follow any instructions for submitting samples or reports.[1]
  4. Preserve any evidence and maintain communication records for appeals or follow-up enforcement.
Documenting time, location, and witness names speeds investigations.

Key Takeaways

  • Enchanted Hills-specific municipal ordinance text was not located online; state and federal programs typically fill regulatory roles.
  • Report spills to local public works and NMED promptly.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] New Mexico Environment Department - Stormwater Program
  2. [2] EPA - National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES)
  3. [3] New Mexico Water Quality Control Commission

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