Private Well Water Testing after McBride and Nogal Canyon Wildfires

After a wildfire, private wells can be contaminated and unsafe to use for drinking water and other purposes. If you are a private well owner looking for help, the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) and New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) will provide FREE private well water quality testing on Saturday, May 7, 2022, from 8:30 AM – 12:00 PM at the Ruidoso Swimming Pool, 515 Sudderth Drive, Ruidoso, NM 88345. Those affected by the fire will have the opportunity to get their water tested for bacteria as follows…

HOW TO COLLECT WATER SAMPLES:

1. Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any strong odors, with at least a quart or a liter (i.e. 32 OZ) of your well water.

2. If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the wellhead before any filtration or softener systems.

3. Let the water run 2-3 minutes before collecting the sample.

4. Collect samples as close to the time of testing as possible. At the event, we will be collecting information about your well (i.e. well construction information).