The New Mexico Environment Department and New Mexico Department of Health  are hosting a free domestic well water testing event at the East Mountain Celebration in Tijeras. The free testing will be available Sunday afternoon, September 25 (12 p.m.-5 p.m.) at Los Vecinos Community Center, 478 NM-333, Tijeras, New Mexico 87827.

Well water tests typically cost about $150 but will be free to the first 100 participants or while supplies last. Test results will be mailed to the households approximately two weeks following the event.

“This water fair offers residents in East Mountain communities peace of mind that the water coming from their private wells is clean and safe,” said Water Protection Division Acting Director John Rhoderick. “Bring your private well water samples to this year’s East Mountain Celebration for free testing.”

How to Collect an Accurate Sample of Well Water for Testing.

To have water tested, residents need to bring a sample of their water to the event.  To get an accurate sample:

1. Let the water run for 2-3 minutes before collecting the sample.
2. Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any strong odors with at least a quart or liter of your well water.
3. If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the well head prior to any filtration or softener systems is possible.
4. Fill the container with water as close to the time of testing as possible.

Along with the water sample, residents should bring basic information known about the well such as well depth, depth to water, well casing material (i.e., steel, PVC), well latitude and longitude and distance from the well to the nearest septic tank or leachfield system.