FARMINGTON, N.M. (KRQE) – Farmington and Shiprock residents can get free domestic well water testing and home radon kits at upcoming community events. The services are part of the “Cabinet in Your Community” program, during which government agencies will connect with the community.
Staff from the New Mexico Environment Department will be at Animas Elementary School in Farmington on April 11 at 3:00 p.m. There will be a resource fair followed by a town hall event.
Friday, April 12, there will be an event at Shiprock High School. At 1:00 p.m., there will be a resource fair followed by a town hall event.
During each of the events, residents can bring home well water samples for testing. The first 100 participants will receive a free test while supplies last. To collect water, the environment department says:
Let the water run for 2-3 minutes before collecting the sample.
Fill a clean glass or plastic container without any odors with at least a quart or liter of your well water.
If the home has a whole house filtration system, collect the water at the well head prior to any filtration or softener systems if possible.
Fill the container with water as close to the time of testing as possible.
Bring any information you have about the well the water came from (depth, well casing material, location, etc.).
The environment department will also offer 100 radon test kits at the event. Radon can be dangerous, but is odorless, colorless, and only detectable by a test.
