Free private well testing and PFAS filters
NMED is helping residents reduce exposure to PFAS (“forever chemicals”) by offering free private well testing and water solutions in two New Mexico areas with known PFAS concerns: La Cienega/La Cieneguilla (Santa Fe County) and rural Curry County near Cannon Air Force Base.
La Cienega and La Cieneguilla: free well testing and home PFAS filters
NMED is offering free private well water testing and free home water filters for residents of La Cieneguilla and La Cienega after a recent report identified a widespread PFAS plume in local groundwater west of the Santa Fe Regional Airport.
The report found:
- About one in three parcels showed PFAS contamination in underlying groundwater.
- 169 parcels showed PFAS contamination above EPA drinking water standards.
- Total PFAS levels measured as high as 800 parts per trillion (ppt).
Residents interested in free testing and filter installation can contact:
Andrew Hautzinger
Water Protection Division, Special Projects Coordinator
(505) 469-9064 | andrew.hautzinger@env.nm.gov
What to expect
- NMED will coordinate private well sampling/testing for PFAS.
- If results indicate PFAS above drinking water standards, a contractor will install a home filtration system at no cost to the resident.
- NMED contracted TLC Plumbing to install filters for participating residents.
What NMED is doing next
NMED continues investigating the source of contamination and responsible parties, while evaluating options for long-term groundwater cleanup.
Curry County: connecting families to clean drinking water and installing PFAS filters
PFAS contamination in Curry County is strongly associated with historic use of PFAS-laden firefighting foam near Cannon Air Force Base, which has contributed to a groundwater plume extending off base.
Clean water connections for private well owners (rural Curry County)
NMED selected EPCOR for a project to connect approximately 100 private well owners in rural Curry County to clean drinking water by extending EPCOR’s existing water system east of Cannon Air Force Base. The project is funded through a $12 million legislative appropriation (2025), and participation is voluntary.
How to request a connection:
Private well owners can contact EPCOR’s Clovis office: mywater@epcor.com
PFAS filters for private wells (Curry County)
In addition to longer-term infrastructure work, NMED is partnering with TLC Plumbing to install free PFAS water filters for private well owners in Curry County affected by the plume. Residents interested in free testing and filter installation can contact:
Andrew Hautzinger
Water Protection Division, Special Projects Coordinator
(505) 469-9064 | andrew.hautzinger@env.nm.gov