Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are a group of man-made chemicals that have been used for a large number of purposes since the 1950s.
PFAS have been used in food packaging, cleaning products, stain resistant carpet treatments, nonstick cookware and firefighting foam, among other products.
Due to the widespread use of PFAS and the fact that they bioaccumulate, they are found in the bodies of people and animals all over the world, as well as ground and surface water.
The health effects of these emerging contaminants are still being studied, but research indicates that some PFAS may affect reproductive health, increase the risk of some cancers, affect childhood development, increase cholesterol levels, affect the immune system, and interfere with the body’s hormones.
PFAS contamination in New Mexico is one of the New Mexico Environment Department’s top priorities, as is the protection of human health and the environment.
PFAS and Private Wells in New Mexico
Public water systems in New Mexico are regulated by the NMED Drinking Water Bureau. However, water quality for private wells, also known as domestic wells, is not regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. Therefore, private well owners are responsible for testing the quality of their drinking water and maintaining their wells.
On April 10, 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the first-ever national drinking water standards for several PFAS in drinking water. The final rule establishes maximum contaminant levels for PFOA, PFOS, PFNA, PFHxS, and HFPO-DA (GenX chemicals) as individual contaminants, and will regulate PFNA, PFHxS, HFPO-DA, and PFBS – as a mixture through a Hazard Index. This new rule will significantly reduce the level of PFAS in drinking water across the United States. However, these standards do not apply to private wells.
Although the NMED Drinking Water Bureau does not regulate water quality for private wells, NMED tested a limited number of private wells for PFAS with the U.S. Geological Survey. Results showed that PFAS occur in some private wells in New Mexico, but no PFAS were detected in the majority of wells that were sampled. Other organizations may have conducted or are in the process of conducting PFAS studies as well.
Private well owners who would like to collect their own water samples for PFAS testing may contact a certified drinking water laboratory. Laboratories can provide instructions for collecting water samples.
To learn more, please see the NMED Drinking Water Bureau factsheet PFAS and Your Private Well (English) (Spanish). Other useful links for private well owners are provided below:
Certified Drinking Water Laboratories
NMED Drinking Water Bureau – General Guidance for Owners of Private Wells
New Mexico Environmental Public Health Tracking – Private Wells
US Environmental Protection Agency – Private Drinking Water Wells
Current PFAS Testing Initiatives
- PFAS Blood Testing around Cannon Airforce Base – Fall 2024
- PFAS Private Well Testing – around Cannon Airforce Base – Fall 2024
The New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) is offering residents who live around Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) and get their drinking water from a private well, free drinking water testing for contamination from fire-fighting foams. The testing is available to anyone who lives in areas around Cannon AFB on a first come, first serve basis to 150 households. Depending on the response, NMED may expand the initiative. To sign up, email NMED at strategic.initiatives@state.nm.us with your full name, email address, street address, and phone number. Press release.