Water Quality

Sulfate usually occurs naturally in the groundwater in New Mexico because the water dissolves it out of rocks, such as gypsum. Natural levels can be increased by contamination from mines, mills, landfills, sewage and other man-made sources.

What you need to know and do if your water system says the water has too much nitrate.

Nitratos Y El Agua Para Beber

What you need to do if your water system has told you to boil your water.

Aqua Hevida

Nitrate is a chemical compound made up of nitrogen and oxygen, which can be found at low levels in foods (vegetables and meat preservatives) and well water. Nitrate is colorless, odorless, and tasteless. Nitrate can become harmful when bacteria in the environment, food, or in the human body convert nitrate into nitrite.

Bacteria are living organisms that are too small to see without a microscope. They are present all around us in air, soil, and water. Some types of bacteria can get into drinking water and make people sick.

Citizens have expressed some health concerns about living near dairies, especially regarding water quality, air quality, and odor problems.

The system operators should have a plan for securing an emergency water supply if you are on a public water system. Community water consumers are encouraged to participate in the decision-making process for their community’s drought emergency preparedness.

The Safe Drinking Water Act sets an action level of 15 or less ppb (parts per billion) of lead in drinking water at consumer’s homes. Drinking water in New Mexico does not naturally contain lead, but lead can get into the water, if lead leaches out of any lead-containing components in the plumbing.