New Mexico data shows 15 public water systems exceed federal PFAS standards due to expanded sampling.
In response, the New Mexico Department of the Environment (NMED) has introduced a statewide online dashboard that allows residents and water professionals to view drinking water PFAS testing data across local public water systems.
This tool represents a significant expansion of the state’s surveillance efforts and provides detailed sampling results by system.
Since the Emerging Contaminants Program (ECP) began in 2024, 523 public water systems in New Mexico have been sampled for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Fifteen of those systems reported concentrations exceeding current federal drinking water limits.
Statewide sampling reveals broader PFAS distribution
New Mexico has 1,055 public water systems, 650 of which are eligible for assistance under the ECP.
About 62% of systems are eligible for support, including testing and technical guidance, according to state data. Approximately 81% of residents receive their water from groundwater-based systems, and an estimated 170,000 people rely on private wells.
Newly released data shows that elevated PFAS levels are not limited to areas near historically documented contamination sites.
In some cases, the systems in which the exceedances occur are located far from known sources, such as military installations that have previously attracted regulatory attention.
Environmental officials say consumer products and other diffuse sources can contribute to PFAS in drinking water.
The dashboard is designed to centralize sampling results and provide transparency for utilities, researchers, and the public. Once additional testing is completed, new data will be incorporated into the platform.
Regulatory and remediation efforts underway
State officials said the 15 overflow public water systems are currently working with regulators to evaluate treatment and remediation options.
This wide-ranging effort is funded through a federal grant program administered by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to help states address emerging pollutants in small or disadvantaged communities.
In parallel, New Mexico is pursuing rulemaking aimed at limiting further PFAS contamination from consumer products.
Public comment sessions are scheduled over two weeks, both virtually and in-person, and details to participate are available on the Department’s public calendar.
Expanding access to PFAS data
The state’s monitoring efforts reflect increased national scrutiny of PFAS in drinking water following stricter federal standards.
By interactively integrating sampling data, regulators aim to provide clearer insight into where contamination is occurring and how to deal with it. Officials say the dashboard will be updated regularly as testing continues.
The platform provides water utilities and environmental professionals with a single source of information on PFAS concentrations, compliance status, and geographic trends in drinking water across New Mexico’s public water network.
Source link
