The City Wastewater Collection Department employs one person and maintains three lift stations and several miles of sewer collection lines.

The Village of Ruidoso has 6-8 operators at the regionally -owned, but Ruidoso-operated treatment plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant, operated exclusively by the Village of Ruidoso, treats on average 1.5 million gallons sewage/ day. Due to excessively restrictive and unique federal permit conditions that were placed on the plant's operating permit, the plant will require a $41,000,000 upgrade this year. This cost is to be borne entirely by the citizens of Ruidoso and Ruidoso Downs.