Tijeras Emergency Repairs Put Contaminated Well Back in Service; Residents Advised on Water Use

TIJERAS — A primary water well in the Village of Tijeras unexpectedly failed Thursday morning, forcing local officials to temporarily reactivate a secondary well that had previously been taken offline due to PFAS contamination.

Village officials announced that Well 1 went offline at approximately 11:34 a.m. Thursday. To maintain continuous water service and adequate fire protection for the community, Well 3 was immediately placed back into operation while emergency crews conduct repairs on the primary well.

Well 3 had been shuttered earlier this year under a directive from Mayor Jake Bruton following sampling results that detected PFAS—per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, often referred to as “forever chemicals.”

According to a public service announcement signed by Village Clerk and Manager Audrey Caufield, Well 3 had remained entirely out of service until Thursday’s mechanical failure forced its emergency use to maintain a reliable water supply.

Local officials emphasized that water service remains fully available throughout the village. They advised residents that tap water remains safe for household activities such as bathing, showering, handwashing, laundry, dishwashing, and general sanitation, noting that PFAS are not readily absorbed through the skin.

However, as an added precaution, the village is advising customers who want to minimize their exposure to use bottled water for drinking, cooking, preparing infant formula, brushing teeth, and general food preparation until Well 1 is repaired.

“Village crews are treating the repair of Well 1 as an emergency,” the announcement stated.

Officials promised that Well 3 will be taken offline immediately once Well 1 is restored to service, at which point the village will issue a follow-up notice to residents.