The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has chosen EPCOR to connect about 100 private well owners in rural Curry County to a clean water supply. This initiative aims to protect families from PFAS contamination originating from Cannon Air Force Base. The $12 million project, funded by a 2025 legislative appropriation, will extend EPCOR's water system east of the base, where a four-mile contamination plume exists due to the use of firefighting foams containing PFAS.
NMED Secretary James Kenney said, "Connecting to EPCOR’s water lines is the best way for Curry County residents to receive drinking water that meets or exceeds all state and federal standards." He also highlighted the efforts of the Governor and Legislature in addressing PFAS threats and protecting residents from associated health risks such as certain cancers and reproductive issues.
A blood testing initiative by NMED revealed that 99.7% of 628 participants had PFOS in their blood, indicating contamination migration from Cannon Air Force Base into Curry County. Residents within the four-mile plume area showed significantly higher concentrations, with 26% reaching levels more than ten times higher than national guidelines.
Local legislators including Minority Whip Pat Woods, Sen. Pat Boone, Rep. Martin Zamora, and Rep. Andrea Reeb expressed their commitment to securing funding for safe water delivery. They said, "PFAS contamination has impacted the health and wellbeing of our families near Cannon Air Force Base and finding real solutions is critical."
Private well owners can request connection to EPCOR’s system by contacting their Clovis office at mywater@epcor.com. The project plans to extend existing systems to connect approximately 100 residences east of Cannon Air Force Base voluntarily.
In related news, NMED confirmed that Las Vegas drinking water remains safe despite concerns over post-fire runoff affecting the city's supply (https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/officials-say-las-vegas-drinking-water-is-still-safe/).
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