NMED has been in litigation with the U.S. Department of War since 2019, due to PFAS contamination from firefighting foam near Cannon and Holloman Air Force Bases. The state’s lawsuit seeks, among other things, to compel the military to halt non-emergency use of PFAS foam, install water treatment and new drinking water lines for impacted residents, implement stormwater controls to prevent further spread, and compensate property owners harmed by the pollution.
In May 2026, NMED and the U.S. Department of the Air Force announced a verbal agreement to establish a collaborative groundwater sampling framework to support ongoing PFAS investigation and clean-up activities at Cannon Air Force Base in Curry County.
Under the verbal agreement, NMED will lead off-base groundwater sampling — including at multiple dairies — while the Department of the Air Force (USAF) provides funding and technical resources. This sampling effort will accelerate PFAS response around Cannon AFB. The USAF will continue its cleanup efforts that have been ongoing for years, representing an investment of $74M.
For more information on recent developments in NMED’s case:
- New Mexico seeks costs and damages for PFAS contamination from the U.S. Department of Defense under new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule (PDF) (July 8, 2024)
- New Mexico PFAS claim filed as federal bellwether case (PDF) (June 27, 2025)
- Air Force denies state inspectors access to test for toxic PFAS (PDF) (July 24, 2025)
- NMED, USAF verbally agree to collaboration that advances PFAS cleanup at Cannon AFB (PDF) (May 12, 2026)
