The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is providing free water testing and filters to residents of La Cieneguilla and La Cienega. This initiative follows the discovery of a PFAS chemical plume in the groundwater west of Santa Fe Regional Airport. Research by INTERA revealed that one-third of parcels in these areas have PFAS contamination, with 169 parcels exceeding Environmental Protection Agency standards.
PFAS levels reached up to 800 parts per trillion, far above the federal standard of 4 parts per trillion for PFOS and PFOA. Residents can contact Andrew Hautzinger at NMED for these services. TLC Plumbing will install home water filters at no cost.
James Kenney, Environment Department Secretary, emphasized the department's role in addressing the issue: "From funding the study that identified the PFAS problem to offering solutions through home filtration systems for impacted residents – the Environment Department is helping the communities of La Cieneguilla and La Cienega."
James Kenney Environment Department Secretary
| New Mexico Environment Department
TLC Plumbing CEO Dale Armstrong expressed satisfaction with their partnership with NMED: "TLC is pleased to partner with the New Mexico Environment Department to address the urgent health threats New Mexico residents face from PFAS-contaminated water."
Senator Liz Stefanics acknowledged legislative support for affected communities: "I am especially gratified that the legislature could provide funding and support for my constituents in the La Cienega communities after they learned about PFAS contamination of their wells." Representative Christine Chandler added, "Like all New Mexicans, the La Cieneguilla and La Cienega communities deserve reliable and safe drinking water."
Santa Fe County Commissioner Camilla Bustamante highlighted environmental justice concerns: "Environmental justice has long been a concern for La Cieneguilla and surrounding area residents and now our highest priority is to assure that households and agriculture can return to having clean and healthy water."
NMED will host an open house on November 15 at La Cienega Community Center for residents to sign up for testing and filters. They will also attend a task force meeting on November 20. The department continues investigating contamination sources while exploring long-term cleanup options.
For more information on PFAS in New Mexico, visit www.env.nm.gov/pfas or www.santafecountynm.gov/public-works/pfas. The NMED has confirmed that Las Vegas drinking water remains safe despite concerns about post-fire runoff effects from recent fires (https://www.krqe.com/news/new-mexico/officials-say-las-vegas-drinking-water-is-still-safe/).
Information from this article can be found here.
