New Mexico Environment Department offers free well water testing in Hobbs
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Test results will be mailed to the participant's household within two to three weeks. The department says only water from homes relying on private wells for drinking water will be tested. Well water tests typically cost about $150, according to the New Mexico Environment Department. Here are some guidelines provided by the department for gathering a well water sample:
'Let the water run for two to three minutes before collecting the sample
Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any odors with at least a quart or liter of yourwell water
If the home has a whole-house filtration system, collect the water at the well head beforeany filtration or softener systems, if possible
Fill the container with water as close to the time of testing as possible'
Residents are also asked to bring basic information about the well such as 'well depth, depth to water, well casing material (such as steel or PVC), well latitude and longitude, and distance from the well to the nearest septic tank or leach field system.' If someone can't attend the event, a family member or neighbor can drop the sample off as long as it has the owner's name, phone number, address and well information attached.
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