HOUSE JOINT MEMORIAL 15

48th legislature - STATE OF NEW MEXICO - second session, 2008

INTRODUCED BY

Andy Nuñez

A JOINT MEMORIAL

REQUESTING THE STATE ENGINEER TO APPOINT A TASK FORCE TO DEVELOP REGULATIONS FOR GROUND WATER WELL PUMP INSTALLER CERTIFICATION.

     WHEREAS, the ground water well pump installation industry is unregulated and there are no consumer protections to ensure the work is done correctly; and

     WHEREAS, a consumer has no recourse except through the courts, there being no place for a consumer to file a simple complaint; and

     WHEREAS, ground water can easily be contaminated due to faulty installation of a pump; and

     WHEREAS, faulty installation can result in thousands of dollars worth of repairs in order to make a well functional; and

     WHEREAS, many states have minimum compliance standards for pump installers; and

     WHEREAS, ground water well drillers are licensed and regulated, but pump installers, who subsequently install the well pumps, are not licensed and regulated; and

     WHEREAS, a pump installer that is not also a licensed well driller will most likely not have knowledge of the well drilling and construction rules and regulations;

     NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO that the state engineer be requested to form a task force of all stakeholders to develop regulations for ground water well pump installer certification; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force include representatives from the New Mexico farm and livestock bureau, the dairy producers of New Mexico, the New Mexico cattle growers association, the New Mexico home builders association, the realtors association of New Mexico, the New Mexico ground water association, the associated builders and contractors of New Mexico and the construction industries division of the regulation and licensing department; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this memorial be transmitted to the state engineer.

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