
Luna County Extension Program Director Jack Blandford said the program, which began in February, is sponsored by the New Mexico Department of Health as part of a student research project, and coordinated through the state Water Resources Research Institute in Las Cruces and the New Mexico State University Cooperative Extension Service.
NMSU chemical engineering students are helping collect water quality data in Luna County, will analyze the results and then will provide feedback to property owners on how to filter or treat tap water that fails to meet health standards.
So far, some 120 property owners have taken advantage of the program.
Water samples from private wells are being tested for the presence of coliform, fluoride, arsenic and other contaminants.
The water samples are shipped to a commercial laboratory in Albuquerque, and the results are provided to property owners within three weeks.
For more information, contact the Luna County Extension Office at 546-8806.