Saturday, June 12, 2004

Nitrates plague subdivision

Pepita Ridgeway El Defensor Chieftain Reporter

A subdivision in northern Socorro County has dangerously high levels of nitrates in the ground water.

The New Mexico Environment Department learned in 1994 of private domestic wells impacted by nitrate contamination above state standards at the Abo Valley Ranch Subdivision, and has attempted to set up a public water system in the area, but did not find enough support within the community.

Bart Faris, a representative from the Environment Department said the NMED is trying to chemically "fingerprint" the contamination. They have ruled out septic tanks and dairy waste because of low levels of chloride, which usually accompanies the contamination in those cases.

Over-fertilization at a former vegetable farm the subdivision is built on is a possible source, as is naturally occurring high soil nitrate levels in Abo Arroyo.

The same natural process is believed to have caused plumes in Hells Canyon and Tijeras Arroyo to the north of Abo Arroyo.

According to a Department of Health brochure, high nitrate levels (above 10 mg/L) can pose a special risk for infants. They can develop "blue baby syndrome" in which the nitrates interfere with the ability of blood to carry oxygen throughout the body. Symptoms can include shortness of breath and bluish skin color around the mouth, hands or feet. If the condition is severe, it can lead to convulsions, coma and even death.

Children and adults can take larger amounts of nitrates without harm; however, pregnant women, nursing mothers and people with low stomach acid conditions can be affected by water with high nitrates.

Because of the transient nature of the Abo Springs community, many may not be aware of the high nitrate levels in the groundwater. Babies are at risk because of the possibility of having the contaminated water used in their formula bottles, and boiling the water only increases the nitrate levels.

Studies on long-term affects from exposure to high nitrate levels in food or water suggest that there might be a small risk for stomach, esophageal or bladder cancers.

Recently, after hearing about some of the needs of northern Socorro County residents, Glenda Chavez, of the South Central Council of Governments, asked State Rep. Steve Pearce to accompany her on a tour of the area, and a meeting with a local residents' group.

The group, called the Northern Socorro County Historical Neighborhood Association, presented Pearce with a list of needs.

Their first priority was funding for the water, sewer and sanitation in Abo Valley.

The group described Abo Valley as a colonias that was privately developed over the last 12 years. They said the groundwater is contaminated and undrinkable, and solid waste is scattered and piled everywhere because most residents cannot afford a county disposal permit. There is evidence of open sewers and cesspools, they said.

The document reads, "It represents a host of serious environmental and social issues that our communities must begin to address immediately."

Chavez said, "The worst case scenario would be that the Environment Department would say 'no water, no sewer,' but so far they want to work with the residents."

She said that when she first called Bart Faris about Abo Springs, he was delighted to hear that someone was interested in solving the problem.

Since 1994, the Environment Department has conducted 10 "Water Fairs" to test wells in the area. At least 37 wells, about one in four tested, is or has been contaminated with nitrate in excess of the drinking water standard.

Faris said that the Environmental Department's authority to address ground water contamination is under the Water Quality Control Commission Regulations that require responsible parties to identify the extent of the problem and to clean up the contamination, but so far, the department has not identified the responsible party or the definitive source of the nitrate contamination.

Faris said in a letter to Chavez that the NMED would continue outreach efforts to the community by providing free water testing every 12-18 months, information on the effects of nitrate consumption, recommendations to homeowners on treatment, and continued efforts to identify the source.

A public water system for the community might be an effective short-term solution. Ten years ago, the community explored this possibility through the efforts of the Southwest Organizing Project, but the residents weren't interested at the time.

If a water system were installed, the problem would still exist. A long-term solution would have to include a clean-up plan, but before a clean up can occur, the plume would need to be properly identified through the installation of environmental monitoring wells and aquifer characteristic testing.

Some of the residents of Abo Valley have drilled deeper wells that produce water with a safe nitrate level. Pumping from the deeper zone, however, might cause the nitrates to be pulled down into that zone. Some households are sharing access to safe wells. Properly designed and operated reverse osmosis water filters can also remove the nitrates. One long-term solution includes the in-situ bio-denitrification of nitrates. In this process, the acetate is oxidized to carbon dioxide, and the nitrate is reduced to harmless nitrogen gas, but it is an expensive process.

The groundwater flow direction is towards the south-southwest and the plume is migrating with some domestic wells south of the arroyo showing concentrations above standards. Faris wrote, "The potential to have a blue-baby case occur in the subdivision is high with the transient community not being aware of the contamination problem."

Chavez said this may be beyond the scope of a single entity but she is working with the Environment Department and the Office of Epidemiology. She is trying to get more awareness of the contamination problem and is asking the state to help with emergency funds. "We need assessment dollars and I'll try to obtain those funds or I'll hand it back to county officials."

Meanwhile, Chavez is in the process of facilitating meetings between state officials, the public and county officials. A meeting is tentatively set for 1 p.m., July 8 at the Veguita Senior Center.

The meeting will have a representative from the Environment Department discussing the problem, how long it's been going on and what possible abatement issues are available. A member of the Office of Epidemiology will be there to discuss health problems of nitrate contamination. Other state officials will also be invited to the meeting.

Chavez is also engaged in writing a proposal for grant funds and has interest from people at the University of New Mexico.

"I'm trying to bring as many people back into it. Even from 10 years ago. I'm afraid if I don't, we'll lose momentum," said Chavez.

pridgeway@dchieftain.com

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