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NEW MEXICO (MS-3) CESSPOOLS, SEPTIC
TANKS & SEWERS EXAMINATION COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS —
LATEST UPDATE.
SECTION 1: NEW MEXICO REGULATIONS (NMAC 20.7.3, State Permits, Soil
Testing, Setbacks)
Q1: Under NMAC 20.7.3, a liquid waste permit is required for all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. Replacing a leachfield lateral on an existing system
B. Changing the disposal method from a septic tank to a holding tank
C. Routine pumping of an existing septic tank by a licensed septage hauler
D. Changing the design flow from 500 gpd to 1,200 gpd on a residential system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because routine pumping and septage removal by a licensed
hauler is a maintenance activity that does not alter the system design, disposal
method, or permitted flow; therefore, it does not trigger a new or amended liquid
waste permit under NMAC 20.7.3.
Q2: Per NMAC 20.7.3, the minimum setback distance from a septic tank to a
private water supply well is:
A. 50 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 establishes a minimum 100-foot setback
from septic tanks, leachfields, and other disposal components to private water
supply wells to prevent groundwater contamination.
Q3: The minimum setback from a leachfield trench to a property line under NMAC
20.7.3 is:
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A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 25 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 requires a minimum 10-foot setback
from leachfield trenches to property lines, ensuring adequate separation from
adjacent properties and preventing encroachment issues.
Q4: Under NMAC 20.7.3, the minimum setback from a septic tank or leachfield to
a building foundation is:
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 20 feet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 specifies a 15-foot minimum setback
from building foundations to septic tanks and soil absorption systems, protecting
structural integrity and allowing access for maintenance.
Q5: A liquid waste permit application submitted to the New Mexico Environment
Department must include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Floor plans of the structure
B. A recorded warranty deed
C. A completed NMED application form
D. A contractor's license bond certificate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 and NMED permit requirements specify
floor plans, a recorded warranty deed, and a completed application form; a
contractor's license bond certificate is not a required submittal for the permit
application itself.
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Q6: Under NMAC 20.7.3, a liquid waste permit may be cancelled by the
Department if the system is not completed within:
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 18 months
D. 2 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 states that permits may be cancelled if
the system is not completed within one year of issuance, or if information
provided in the application is found to be false or inaccurate.
Q7: An unpermitted existing onsite wastewater system in New Mexico must apply
for which document from the New Mexico Environment Department?
A. Certificate of Compliance
B. Certificate of Registration
C. Certificate of Occupancy
D. Certificate of Exemption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 requires any unpermitted existing onsite
wastewater system to apply for a Certificate of Registration from NMED to bring
the system into regulatory compliance.
Q8: Per NMAC 20.7.3, all installations of onsite wastewater systems must be
performed by:
A. A homeowner with no additional requirements
B. A licensed contractor (MM-1, MM-98, MS-1, or MS-3) or a homeowner who
completes training and passes a homeowner's test
C. Any general contractor holding a GB-2 license
D. A registered professional engineer only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 requires all installations to be performed
by a licensed contractor holding the appropriate classification (MM-1, MM-98, MS-
NEW MEXICO (MS-3) CESSPOOLS, SEPTIC
TANKS & SEWERS EXAMINATION COMPLETE
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED SOLUTIONS —
LATEST UPDATE.
SECTION 1: NEW MEXICO REGULATIONS (NMAC 20.7.3, State Permits, Soil
Testing, Setbacks)
Q1: Under NMAC 20.7.3, a liquid waste permit is required for all of the following
EXCEPT:
A. Replacing a leachfield lateral on an existing system
B. Changing the disposal method from a septic tank to a holding tank
C. Routine pumping of an existing septic tank by a licensed septage hauler
D. Changing the design flow from 500 gpd to 1,200 gpd on a residential system
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because routine pumping and septage removal by a licensed
hauler is a maintenance activity that does not alter the system design, disposal
method, or permitted flow; therefore, it does not trigger a new or amended liquid
waste permit under NMAC 20.7.3.
Q2: Per NMAC 20.7.3, the minimum setback distance from a septic tank to a
private water supply well is:
A. 50 feet
B. 75 feet
C. 100 feet
D. 150 feet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 establishes a minimum 100-foot setback
from septic tanks, leachfields, and other disposal components to private water
supply wells to prevent groundwater contamination.
Q3: The minimum setback from a leachfield trench to a property line under NMAC
20.7.3 is:
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A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 25 feet
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 requires a minimum 10-foot setback
from leachfield trenches to property lines, ensuring adequate separation from
adjacent properties and preventing encroachment issues.
Q4: Under NMAC 20.7.3, the minimum setback from a septic tank or leachfield to
a building foundation is:
A. 5 feet
B. 10 feet
C. 15 feet
D. 20 feet
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 specifies a 15-foot minimum setback
from building foundations to septic tanks and soil absorption systems, protecting
structural integrity and allowing access for maintenance.
Q5: A liquid waste permit application submitted to the New Mexico Environment
Department must include all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Floor plans of the structure
B. A recorded warranty deed
C. A completed NMED application form
D. A contractor's license bond certificate
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 and NMED permit requirements specify
floor plans, a recorded warranty deed, and a completed application form; a
contractor's license bond certificate is not a required submittal for the permit
application itself.
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Q6: Under NMAC 20.7.3, a liquid waste permit may be cancelled by the
Department if the system is not completed within:
A. 6 months
B. 1 year
C. 18 months
D. 2 years
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 states that permits may be cancelled if
the system is not completed within one year of issuance, or if information
provided in the application is found to be false or inaccurate.
Q7: An unpermitted existing onsite wastewater system in New Mexico must apply
for which document from the New Mexico Environment Department?
A. Certificate of Compliance
B. Certificate of Registration
C. Certificate of Occupancy
D. Certificate of Exemption
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 requires any unpermitted existing onsite
wastewater system to apply for a Certificate of Registration from NMED to bring
the system into regulatory compliance.
Q8: Per NMAC 20.7.3, all installations of onsite wastewater systems must be
performed by:
A. A homeowner with no additional requirements
B. A licensed contractor (MM-1, MM-98, MS-1, or MS-3) or a homeowner who
completes training and passes a homeowner's test
C. Any general contractor holding a GB-2 license
D. A registered professional engineer only
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because NMAC 20.7.3 requires all installations to be performed
by a licensed contractor holding the appropriate classification (MM-1, MM-98, MS-
