Free water well tests offered in Santa Rosa on May 7

The New Mexico Environment Department is hosting a free domestic well water testing event at the Santa Rosa Farmers Market in Santa Rosa on May 7.

The free testing will be available from 9 to 11 a.m. May 7 at the Santa Rosa Farmers’ Market, 244 S. 4th St. in Santa Rosa.

Well water tests typically cost about $150 but will be free to the first 100 participants or while supplies last. Test results will be mailed to the households after the event.

To have water tested, residents need to bring a sample of their water to the event. Use these guidelines to ensure the sample is collected correctly:

— Let the water run for 2 to 3 minutes before collecting the sample.

— Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any strong 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 prior to 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 their well such as well depth, depth to water, well casing material (i.e., steel, PVC), well latitude and longitude, and distance from the well to the nearest septic tank or leachfield 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 if the bottle 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. 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.

Water will also be tested for arsenic levels. Arsenic is naturally occurring and has been detected in water from private wells throughout the state, sometimes at concentrations that exceed drinking water quality health standards.

While the state’s Environment and Health Departments conduct 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 2022, NMED has tested 117 private drinking water wells over five water fairs, providing $17,550 in value to communities in New Mexico.

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

For more information about upcoming water fairs, please visit NMED’s event calendar or call the Environment Department at 505-827-2900.