Free domestic well water testing to resume

Free domestic well water testing events — the first since the start of the pandemic — will take place this week in Española and Santa Fe, the state Environment Department says.

“With 20% of New Mexicans using private water wells, our free water testing events are a great opportunity for private well owners to learn more about what is in their water and how to keep it safe and clean,” Environment Secretary James Kenney said in statement.

The environment and public health departments are teaming up for the event that takes place from 3 to 6 p.m. Friday, at the NMED Española Field Office, 712 La Joya St.; and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the Harold L. Runnels Building, 1190 St. Francis Drive, Santa Fe.

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 2-3 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.

Residents should also bring basic information about the 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 leach field system.

Tests will be offered on a firstcome, first-served basis to the first 150 participants. Participants must adhere to COVID-safe practices at the event, including wearing face coverings and physical distancing.