source: main/adopters/nm-epht/trunk/src/main/webapps/epht-view-content/xml/html_content/environment/water/private_wells/TestFairs.xml @ 19740

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        <TITLE>Well Water Test Fairs</TITLE>

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                A partnership between the New Mexico Health Department's Environmental Public Health Tracking 
                and Private Well Programs and the state Environment Department offers New Mexico households 
                with private water wells the chance to conveniently test the water they drink for a number of common 
                water concerns plus arsenic at no cost.
                <br/><br/>
                The process is simple: drop the bottles or containers of water off at the water testing station 
                during a water fair in the county you live in. These free tests are offered on a first-come 
                first-served basis while supplies are available. (The locations and counties change each year 
                fairs are sometimes added mid-season, so check back regularly to see if an event is happening near your home).
                <h3>2019 Water Fair participation:</h3>
                <br/>
                Ten events were offered throughout the state in 2019 including communities in Lea, Guadalupe, Socorro, Dona Ana, Rio Arriba, San Juan, Taos, Colfax, Grant, and Sandoval counties. A total of 576 samples analyzed for free. These testing events will resume in spring 2020.
                <br/>
                <h3>Water fair locations and dates in 2020:</h3>
                <br/>
                <ul class="Indent">
                        <li>
                                <span class="Bold">Espanola, and Rio Arriba County, </span>Mar 13 and Mar 14. <a ibis:href="view/pdf/environment/water/private_wells/water_fairs/RioArribaFlyer.pdf">Details</a>
                                <br/>
                        </li>
                </ul>
                <br/>
                <h3>Well Owner Workshop locations and dates in 2020:</h3>
                <br/>
                A chance for well owners to learn about well tagging, water quality and health, treatment, and more!
                <br/><br/>
                <ul class="Indent">
                        <li>
                                <span class="Bold">Taos</span> (Taos public library), March 7. <a ibis:href="view/pdf/environment/water/private_wells/water_fairs/TaosWellClassFlyer.pdf">Details</a>
                                <br/>
                        </li>
                </ul>
                <br/><br/>
                <span class="Italicize">Check back regularly for new posts and additional locations.</span>
                <br/><br/>
                <h4>Benefits of Testing at the Private Well Water Fairs</h4>
                Although well owners are encouraged to periodically test their drinking water, such tests can be costly, 
                starting at $150. The Departments of Environment and Health offer these opportunities for New Mexico 
                private wells owners at no cost during these events. 
                <br/><br/>
                This money-saving opportunity is the chance for households to check:
                <ul class="Indent">
                        <li>pH</li>
                        <li>specific conductance</li>
                </ul>
                and the levels of
                <ul class="Indent">
                        <li>fluoride</li>
                        <li>iron</li>
                        <li>sulfate</li>
                        <li>nitrate</li>
                        <li>arsenic.</li>
                </ul>
                <h4>What you need to do:</h4>
                <ul class="Indent">
                        <li>
                                Use a clean glass or plastic container that holds at least a quart of water (such as in a 1-liter soda bottle or gallon milk jug). The container should not have a strong odor (avoid pickle jars and vinegar bottles)
                        </li>
                        <li>
                                Collect the water before it runs through any water treatment/filters such as a reverse osmosis system (R.O.) or a water softener. (If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the well head).
                        </li>
                        <li>Let the water run a couple of minutes before filling the bottle/container.</li>
                        <li>Fill the bottle with the water as close to the time of testing as possible (right before coming to the water testing event).</li>
                        <li>Label the bottle with your name, address, and phone number.</li>
                        <li>Take the sample to a local water fair in your area (see listing above).</li>
                        <li>
                                If you can and have the information, you should include with the water bottle, some basic information about the well such as: well depth, depth to water, well casing material (e.g., steel, pvc), well location latitude/longitude, and distance from well to the nearest septic tank/leach field system. You may use this sample form to keep track of that information and to bring with you to a water fair:
                        </li>
                </ul>
                <br/>
                <a ibis:href="view/pdf/environment/water/private_wells/water_fairs/WaterFairIntakeForm2018.pdf"><img ibis:src="image/icon/16/pdf.gif" alt="pdf" />
                <span class="filetitle">Well Information Form<span class="filesize">(81.7 KB)</span></span></a>
                <br/><br/>
                If well owners are unable to attend the event in their community but would like to have their water tested, 
                they may have their sample brought to the water test station by a family member or neighbor if the 
                bottle is clearly labeled with their name, phone number, and address and information about the well is attached.
                <h4>Learn more: Health and Drinking Water Quality</h4>
                The constituents we look for in the tests may be naturally occurring or result from sources including 
                fertilizer, animal waste, septic tanks, and refuse dumps. Drinking water with high levels of nitrate 
                can be dangerous to pregnant women and infants, while high levels of other contaminants may lead to 
                aesthetic nuisances and other health problems. Arsenic is naturally occurring and has been measured in 
                water from private wells throughout the state at concentrations that exceed recommended drinking water quality 
                health standards. Not usually included with general tests, well owners will be able to check the 
                arsenic level in their water at these water fairs.
                <br/>
                About 20 percent of New Mexicans receive their water from private wells, which are not tested routinely. 
                To support well owners, the Health Department offers information about various well topics on 
                <a ibis:href="environment/water/Indroduction.html">Drinking Water Quality</a> pages.
                <br/>
                The water fairs will only test water that comes from homes that rely on private wells for drinking water.
                Water from households that are connected to city/community/public water system is periodically tested and 
                those results are available at: <a ibis:href="dataportal/Introduction.html">Data Query and Data Mapping Tool,</a> 
                and <a ibis:href="environment/water/CommunityWaterSystems.html">Community Drinking Water Data.</a>
                <br/><br/>
                <span class="Bold">Take advantage of other events sponsored by our health promotion partners:</span>
                <br/><br/>
                <span class="Italicize">Biomonitoring Assessments</span>
                <br/>
                The state health department conducts biomonitoring assessments periodically to look for specific 
                metals, such as arsenic and uranium in drinking water from wells and in urine samples provided by 
                those who drink water from the wells. Scheduling of these biomonitoring assessments depends on 
                available funding and community interest. Call 888-878-8992 to learn more.
        
                <br/><br/>
                <span class="Italicize">Bernalillo County Domestic Well Monitoring Program</span>
                <br/>
                Drought and limited water sources are a health concern. If you live in Bernalillo County, join the 
                free Bernalillo County domestic well monitoring program and become aware of the water level in your well.
                Learn more by calling 505-224-1614.
                <br/>
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