In an effort to better understand the scope of potential and existing PFAS contamination around the state, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) has worked with state and federal partners to conduct sampling for PFAS in water around the state. Data from other sampling is also posted here.
Cannon Air Force Base (Curry County) and Holloman Air Force Base (Otero County)
These data represent results from testing done by NMED, the New Mexico Department of Health, and the U.S. Air Force at and around Cannon Air Force Base (AFB) and Holloman AFB, unless otherwise noted, through 2019.
- Data from public drinking water supplies, Holloman Lake, and private wells on and around Holloman Air Force Base (posted 5/9/19)
- Data from public drinking water supplies and private wells on and around Cannon Air Force Base (posted 4/5/19)
- November 2018 and March 2019 data from public drinking water systems on and around Cannon Air Force Base (posted 4/3/19)
Private Well Testing Projects
Curry and Roosevelt Counties
In 2021, through an appropriation from the New Mexico Legislature, NMED developed and implemented a PFAS sampling program at private and agricultural wells in Curry and Roosevelt Counties. NMED’s Drinking Water Bureau conducted the sampling program in partnership with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
Using the best available approved analytical methods, the sampling program tested for 28 different PFAS compounds at 55 wells across Curry and Roosevelt Counties. NMED directly notified all well owners of their individual results.
Statewide Private Well PFAS Study
During calendar year 2023, NMED and USGS conducted PFAS testing of groundwater from private domestic wells across the state. Well owners participated on a voluntary, first-come first-serve basis. The project was funded by an appropriation from the New Mexico Legislature and samples were collected free-of-charge to well owners. A total of 109 samples were collected across 19 counties.
- 2023 Private Well PFAS Sampling Data – Last updated January 8, 2024
Statewide PFAS Study
The NMED Drinking Water Bureau has partnered with the USGS to sample for 28 PFAS chemicals in groundwater and surface water resources across New Mexico, including multiple public drinking water systems. Results can be found at the USGS online database.
The results can also be viewed on our latest spreadsheet updated February 4, 2025.
- Project factsheet
- Project Memorandum of Understanding
- For more information, contact: DWB.PFAS@env.nm.gov
PFAS Sampling at Los Alamos National Laboratory
The NMED Department of Energy-Oversight Bureau (DOE-OB) began sampling of PFAS in the Fall of 2020 at Los Alamos National Laboratory. As part of its ongoing mission, the DOE-OB performs independent sampling and monitoring of Department of Energy (DOE) legacy operations.
Los Alamos National Laboratory PFAS sampling data obtained by the DOE-OB is uploaded to the Intellus New Mexico environmental database at https://www.intellusnm.com/index.cfm.
U.S. EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule
EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) to collect data for contaminants that are suspected to be present in drinking water and do not yet have health-based standards set under the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA). A select number of public water systems (PWS) are sampled under the UCMR.
Testing for the Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) occurred from 2013-2015. The EPA included six PFAS chemicals in this round of testing. Among 35 water systems tested in New Mexico, UCMR3 sampling returned only a single PFAS detection for PFHpA.
- U.S. EPA Third Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR3) (posted 1/8/20, data collected 2013-2015)
- U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5) (posted 3/11/25, data collected through 11/6/24)
*Note: UCMR results are provided in units of micrograms per liter (µg/L, equivalent to parts per billion). To convert results in µg/L to ng/L, multiply the value by 1,000. Click here for an EPA summary of UCMR5 data.