The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced that the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED) will receive $18.9 million to assess and address emerging contaminants, including per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), in public water systems and disadvantaged communities. The funding is part of President Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aimed at tackling significant pollution issues nationwide.
“Clean, safe drinking water is something every person in New Mexico deserves,” said Regional Administrator Dr. Earthea Nance. “With this funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the New Mexico Environment Department will be able to take crucial steps to safeguard New Mexico’s drinking water from PFAS and other emerging contaminants.”
U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich stated, "Contamination and pollution from forever chemicals like PFAS threaten clean drinking water supplies that New Mexico communities depend upon. I am proud to welcome $18.9 million that we secured through the Infrastructure Law to ramp up New Mexico's urgent efforts to detect pollution and protect our precious water resources from PFAS and other emerging contaminants."
Senator Ben Ray Luján added, “I’m proud to welcome this pivotal investment of more than $18 million from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to help New Mexico communities safeguard themselves from PFAS. This funding will help examine PFAS levels across the state and implement remediation and mitigation methods to help protect New Mexico's public water system while helping educate New Mexicans on the public health and environmental risks that these chemicals cause."
Representative Melanie Stansbury emphasized the importance of combating PFAS: “Combating per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, also known as forever chemicals or PFAS, in our public water systems is essential to provide safe water for communities in New Mexico...the $18.9 million coming to our state will continue the progress of cleaning up our water systems.”
Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández remarked on the significance of this investment: “When clean water flows, New Mexico grows...This $18.9 million EPA award is an investment in the health and safety of New Mexico’s residents.”
The NMED plans a two-year sampling process for public water systems statewide to evaluate PFAS contamination levels. Following this assessment phase, remediation efforts focusing on small and disadvantaged communities will commence.
The five-year work plan funded by this grant includes identifying PFAS in public water systems, removing hazardous substances from drinking sources, educating communities about contaminant threats, ensuring compliance with clean water standards, and building long-term resiliency.
PFAS are manufactured chemicals used since the 1940s in various industries and consumer products; prolonged exposure poses significant health risks. Preliminary testing has already detected PFAS in multiple locations across New Mexico.
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