NMED/NMHealth News:

TAOS — The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMHealth) will host a free domestic well water testing event Saturday, June 14 in Taos.

Testing will be available 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Taos Farmer’s Market, 105 Albright St. in Taos.

Well water tests typically cost about $150, but will be free to the first 100 participants, or while supplies last. Participants must bring their own water sample to the event for it to be tested. Test results will be mailed to the households following the event within two to three weeks.

“Private well owners in Taos County can come to this water fair and find out more about the quality of their household drinking water,” Ground Water Quality Bureau Chief Justin Ball said. “When we know what’s in our well water, we can take action. Free testing helps our communities stay informed and healthy.”

Residents should use these guidelines to ensure their sample is collected correctly:

• Let the water run for two to three minutes before collecting the sample.
• Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any odors with at least a quart or liter of your well water.
• If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the well head before any filtration or softener systems, if possible.
• Fill the container with water as close to the time of testing as possible.

Along with the water sample, residents should bring basic information known about the well such as well depth, depth to water, well casing material (such as steel or PVC), well latitude and longitude and distance from the well to the nearest septic tank or leach field system.

If well owners are unable to attend the event but would like to have their water tested, they may have a sample brought to the event by a family member or neighbor, provided the container is clearly labeled and has the owner’s name, phone number, address and well information attached. Only water that comes from homes that rely on private wells for drinking water will be tested.

The state’s “water fairs” provide an opportunity for well owners to measure pH, specific conductance and levels of nitrates in their water, two measurements that are crucial to maintaining safe drinking water. These constituents may be naturally occurring or result from sources including fertilizer, animal waste and septic tanks. Drinking water with high levels of nitrate can be dangerous to pregnant women and infants. Other contaminants may lead to other health problems and aesthetic nuisances. Learn more about the water fair program.

While NMED conducts water fairs to help educate private well owners about drinking water and well maintenance, these state agencies do not have jurisdiction over private wells.

Since July 1, 2024, NMED tested 111 private drinking water wells at 5 water fairs, providing $25,500 in value to communities in New Mexico. NMED tracks its investments in communities as part of its performance measures and target of investing $65 million throughout the state in fiscal year 2025.

Water from public water systems (such as local water utilities) is tested periodically, and results are available on the Drinking Water Watch website.

For more information about upcoming water fairs, visit NMED’s event calendar or contact the Environment Department at 505.827.2900.