EPA Research in New Mexico
EPA researchers are working hard to protect communities across the nation. Learn about some of the work EPA researchers are doing in New Mexico.
- Advancing the Utilization of Produced Water
- Innovative Method for Locating Fugitive Emissions
- Research to Support the Federal Lead Action Plan
- Preparing Drinking Water Utilities for Natural Disasters
- Sampling and Assessment of Waterways and Sediments after Gold King Mine Spill
For more EPA work, see EPA in New Mexico.
Advancing the Utilization of Produced Water
The New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) established the New Mexico Produced Water Research Consortium to facilitate collaborative research and foster interactions that advance the scientific research and technology development necessary to guide statewide regulation of treated produced water uses outside the oil and gas industry. EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) has supported the Consortium from its inception by providing expertise in risk characterization and fit-for-purpose water treatment and use. Read the EPA Research Partner Support Story: Advancing the Utilization of Produced Water.
Innovative Method for Locating Fugitive Emissions
Fugitive emissions, or pollution that escapes through unanticipated leaks, industrial processes, and other means, are difficult for scientists to measure and model. EPA scientists collaborated with National Park Service and New Mexico Environment Department to detect fugitive emissions using a portable, solar-powered air sampling system that can be remotely operated by text message. This regional research effort will help local regulators quantify and identify fugitive air pollution emission sources. Read Remotely Operated Air Samplers Offer an Innovative Method for Locating Fugitive Emissions.
Research to Support the Federal Lead Action Plan
EPA researchers have been working on various aspects of lead research to support the Federal Action Plan to Reduce Childhood Lead Exposures and Associated Health Impacts. As part of this effort, EPA worked with several South-Central states (Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, New Mexico and Oklahoma) and the Association of State Drinking Water Administrators, to hold a workshop to provide information and training relevant to small drinking water systems. Read A Year in Review: Progress on the Research Goal of the Federal Lead Action Plan.
Preparing Drinking Water Utilities for Natural Disasters
Natural disasters can disrupt access to clean drinking water. To help communities and drinking water utilities, EPA researchers and partners from the Sandia National Laboratories in New Mexico developed the Water Network Tool for Resilience (WNTR), a comprehensive scientific software package to help assess the resilience of drinking water systems to natural disasters. Read EPA Researchers Help Prepare Drinking Water Utilities for Natural Disasters.
Sampling and Assessment of Waterways and Sediments after Gold King Mine Spill
In 2015, about 3 million gallons of contaminated wastewater from the Gold King Mine spilled into the Animas River impacting several tribes and states, including New Mexico. The EPA Office of Research and Development-supported Center for Native American Environmental Health Equity Research performed sampling and helped the New Mexico Environmental Department (NMED) reach out to and coordinate with Navajo Nation communities that were affected by the Gold King Mine spill.
Biological Condition Gradient Models
A lack of defined numerical thresholds limits the ability of the state of New Mexico to sustain, restore and protect non-wadeable rivers in the state, a major source of water for most of the state’s population. To address these challenges, EPA researchers, in collaboration with EPA Region 6, NMED, Tetra Tech, and a panel of fish and macroinvertebrate experts, developed a suite of Biological Condition Gradient (BCG) models for fish and benthic macroinvertebrate communities of the middle Rio Grande, which is habitat for the threatened and endangered Rio Grande silvery minnow.