Free well water testing Saturday in Tijeras
Residents in Tijeras who rely on private wells for drinking water will have an opportunity this weekend to get their water tested free of charge during a one-day public health event hosted by state agencies.The New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health will offer free well water testing on Saturday, May 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Tijeras Senior Center.Testing will be available to the first 100 participants. Officials said private well testing typically costs about $150.The event is designed to help residents better understand the quality and safety of their household drinking water, particularly by screening for nitrates and pH levels. High nitrate concentrations can pose health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women. According to officials, nitrates may occur naturally or originate from fertilizers, animal waste, or septic systems.”We’re offering free water testing to help private well owners who may have questions about their water quality better understand what’s in their household drinking water,” said Justin Ball, chief of the Ground Water Quality Bureau, in a statement. “This water fair provides Bernalillo County residents with easy, affordable access to information about their private well water that they would otherwise have to pay for.”Residents attending the event must bring their own water samples. Officials recommend letting the water run for two to three minutes before collecting it in a clean, odor-free glass or plastic container holding at least one quart.For homes with whole-house filtration systems, officials ask residents to collect samples at the well head before any filtration or water softening systems, if possible. Samples should be collected as close to the testing time as possible.Participants are also encouraged to bring basic information about their wells, including depth, casing material, geographic coordinates, and the distance between the well and the nearest septic system or leach field.Officials said test results will be mailed to households within two to three weeks following the event. More information about future water fairs is available through the New Mexico Environment Department event calendar or by calling 505-827-2900.
Residents in Tijeras who rely on private wells for drinking water will have an opportunity this weekend to get their water tested free of charge during a one-day public health event hosted by state agencies.
The New Mexico Environment Department and the New Mexico Department of Health will offer free well water testing on Saturday, May 9, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Tijeras Senior Center.
Testing will be available to the first 100 participants. Officials said private well testing typically costs about $150.
The event is designed to help residents better understand the quality and safety of their household drinking water, particularly by screening for nitrates and pH levels. High nitrate concentrations can pose health risks, especially for infants and pregnant women. According to officials, nitrates may occur naturally or originate from fertilizers, animal waste, or septic systems.
“We’re offering free water testing to help private well owners who may have questions about their water quality better understand what’s in their household drinking water,” said Justin Ball, chief of the Ground Water Quality Bureau, in a statement. “This water fair provides Bernalillo County residents with easy, affordable access to information about their private well water that they would otherwise have to pay for.”
Residents attending the event must bring their own water samples. Officials recommend letting the water run for two to three minutes before collecting it in a clean, odor-free glass or plastic container holding at least one quart.
For homes with whole-house filtration systems, officials ask residents to collect samples at the well head before any filtration or water softening systems, if possible. Samples should be collected as close to the testing time as possible.
Participants are also encouraged to bring basic information about their wells, including depth, casing material, geographic coordinates, and the distance between the well and the nearest septic system or leach field.
Officials said test results will be mailed to households within two to three weeks following the event.
More information about future water fairs is available through the New Mexico Environment Department event calendar or by calling 505-827-2900.