Well Water Testing Guide for New Mexico

Where to test, what to test for, what it costs, and how to get free testing.

Free Testing Options

State Water Test Fairs

Fairs are organized by the New Mexico Environment Department. Check the NMED Drinking Water Bureau website for upcoming dates and locations.

NMED Liquid Waste Program

The NMED Liquid Waste Program offers free testing for nitrate, fluoride, and iron year-round at their field offices. You don't need to wait for a fair — just bring a sample to your nearest field office during business hours. This is particularly useful for Corrales and other communities where nitrate from septic systems is a concern.

Certified Testing Labs

For comprehensive testing beyond what the free programs offer, these labs serve New Mexico well owners:

• Hall Environmental Analysis Lab 4901 Hawkins NE, Albuquerque, NM 87109 · (505) 345-3975
  Coliform testing: $45. Local lab, convenient for Albuquerque metro area.
• ETS New Mexico 4501 Bogan Ave NE, Suite B3, Albuquerque, NM 87109
  Full-service environmental testing lab.
• Indepth Water Testing Santa Fe, NM · In business since 1986
  Specializes in private well testing for the Santa Fe and northern NM area.
• Cardinal Laboratories Hobbs, NM and Durango, CO
  Serves eastern and northern New Mexico.
• New Mexico Scientific Laboratories Division The state lab in Albuquerque. Basic well water panels at low cost. Call (505) 383-9138.

What Does Testing Cost?

Test	Typical Cost	Notes
Coliform / E. coli bacteria	$28-$75	Basic safety test. Should be done annually.
Comprehensive panel	Starting ~$150	Bacteria, nitrates, minerals, metals, pH, TDS. Good baseline test.
Individual contaminants (arsenic, uranium, etc.)	$40-$100 each	Add-on tests for specific concerns.

What Should You Test For?

The New Mexico Department of Health recommends the following testing schedule for private wells:

Every Year

• Bacteria (total coliform and E. coli)
• Nitrate
• pH
• Conductivity

At Least Once (and after any changes)

• Arsenic — essential for any well in central NM. See our arsenic guide.
• Uranium — naturally occurring throughout NM geology
• Fluoride — elevated in many NM aquifers

Additional Testing Triggers

Test your water again (beyond the annual schedule) if:

• Your area has flooding
• You're near agricultural operations or septic systems
• You notice any change in taste, odor, or appearance
• Anyone in the household has unexplained gastrointestinal illness
• Your well was recently repaired, deepened, or had pump work
• You just purchased the property

How to Collect a Sample

Proper sample collection is critical for accurate results. Most labs will provide specific instructions, but the general guidelines are:

• Use the container provided by the lab (or a sterile container for bacteria tests)
• For bacteria: do NOT pre-rinse the container. Remove the aerator from the faucet. Run cold water for 2-3 minutes before collecting.
• For chemical tests: run the water for 2-3 minutes to clear the plumbing, then fill the container
• Keep samples cool (not frozen) and deliver to the lab within 24 hours for bacteria, within the timeframe specified for other tests
• Label each container with your name, address, date, time, and sample location

Community-Specific Recommendations

Different areas of New Mexico have different primary concerns:

Area	Priority Tests Beyond Basics
East Mountains / Edgewood	Arsenic, uranium, fluoride, manganese, selenium, sulfate
Corrales	Nitrates (annually!), manganese, iron
Placitas	Arsenic (test in winter too), iron, manganese
Rio Rancho (private wells)	Arsenic, radon, iron
North Valley ABQ	VOCs (if near commercial/industrial), bacteria, nitrates
Los Lunas / Valencia County	Arsenic, mercury, bacteria
Estancia Basin	TDS, sulfate, hardness panel
Eldorado at Santa Fe	Arsenic, uranium