What is treated similarly to surface water under New Mexico regulations?

The correct answer is groundwater because, under New Mexico regulations, both surface water and groundwater are subject to similar management and rights laws. The state follows the principle of prior appropriation for both resources, which means that the rights to use water are granted based on a "first in time, first in right" basis. This legal framework acknowledges the interconnection between surface water and groundwater, as withdrawal or use of one can significantly impact the other. Consequently, groundwater is regulated with the same considerations for water rights, usage allocations, and environmental impacts that surface water experiences.

Rainwater, stormwater, and wastewater, while they may be subject to specific regulations and can sometimes influence surface water, do not fall under the same regulatory framework as groundwater and surface water. For instance, rainwater is often subject to different collection and usage practices, stormwater is usually managed for drainage and pollution control, and wastewater is treated as a byproduct requiring treatment and disposal management.