Which authority must review and approve drinking water distribution system sampling plans?

The New Mexico Environment Department - Drinking Water Bureau (NMED-DWB) is the correct authority responsible for reviewing and approving drinking water distribution system sampling plans within the state. This department oversees the safety and compliance of drinking water systems to ensure they meet state and federal standards, protecting public health.

Sampling plans are critical for monitoring the quality of drinking water, and they must be tailored to the specific system in question. The NMED-DWB assesses these plans for various factors, such as the locations and frequency of sampling, to ensure they are adequate for detecting contaminants and safeguarding consumer health.

While the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) establishes national guidelines and standards for water quality, it is the state-level NMED-DWB that directly manages the sampling plans at the local level. Other organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), provide guidance and research on public health matters but do not have direct oversight of local drinking water sampling plans. Hence, the specific role of the NMED-DWB makes it the appropriate authority in this context.