Tijeras Residents Swamp State Water Fair for Free Testing

TIJERAS — State health and environment officials met an overwhelming turnout Saturday morning at the Tijeras Senior Center, where residents from across the East Mountains lined up to take advantage of a high-value incentive: free professional testing for private well water.

The “water fair,” a collaborative effort between the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH), saw more than 60 samples submitted within the first hour alone—triple the amount typically tested at such events.

By arriving early, the first 100 residents were able to bypass the typical $150 cost associated with private laboratory testing.

“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,” said Justin Ball, chief of the Ground Water Quality Bureau.

Colton Cooper, a water epidemiologist with the NMDOH, noted that while the state does not regulate private wells, providing this data allows homeowners to make informed health decisions.

“Nitrates are especially dangerous to babies,” Cooper said, explaining that high concentrations can lead to “Blue Baby Syndrome,” a potentially fatal condition that prevents blood from carrying sufficient oxygen. “Arsenic, of course, is associated with different types of cancers. You want to keep the nitrates and arsenic as low as you possibly can.”

In addition to arsenic and nitrates, officials screened for iron, fluoride, sulfate, pH levels, and conductivity. For those whose water exceeds federal safety standards, such as the 10 milligrams per liter limit for arsenic, Cooper recommended the installation of a reverse osmosis system.

The ease of access was a significant draw for local families. Renee Perkins, a resident of nearby Carnuel, brought in a sample after living in the area for nearly five years.

“This is our first time having a well,” Perkins said. “I feel like we’re just trying to learn as much as we can about how to keep our family healthy and make sure that we’re consuming good water.”

To ensure accurate results, participants were instructed to collect at least one quart of water in clean containers after letting their taps run for two to three minutes. Samples were ideally taken from the well head to bypass any existing home filtration or softening systems.

While results were available the same day due to the rapid testing kits used on-site, official results will be mailed to all participating households within two to three weeks.

Residents who missed the event or require further information regarding water safety can contact the Environment Department at 505-827-2900.