Albuquerque area contributes to chemical contamination of the Rio Grande, studies find
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – Two recent studies by the U.S. Geological Survey, done in cooperation with the New Mexico Environment Department, found the Albuquerque urban area “significantly contributes PFAS to Rio Grande.”
“The comprehensive survey of New Mexico’s major rivers and evaluation of groundwater quality across the state is critical in helping NMED protect these valuable resources,” Andy Jochems, source water protection team lead from the New Mexico Environment Department, stated in a news release. “The science provided by the USGS helps us make informed decisions about our drinking water resources into the future.”
PFAS, frequently called “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals used in a wide variety of common items, such as firefighting foams, non-stick cookware and fast-food packaging. The chemicals are found in many places across the nation and can stay in the environment for a long time, according to USGS. PFAS are known to cause cancer and developmental, reproductive, immune system, and endocrine problems in animals and people.
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USGS said their initial statewide study sampled 117 groundwater wells and 18 surface water sites across New Mexico between August 2020 and October 2021. PFAS were detected in all major rivers in New Mexico, with the highest concentrations at sites downstream of urban areas. Total PFAS concentrations from surface water samples ranged from 1.0 to 155.4 nanograms per liter. PFAS were detected at 27 groundwater sites, though no results exceeded the EPA’s 2016 health advisory limit.
The USGS conducted a follow-up study to examine the water quality in the Rio Grande as it flows through Albuquerque. Scientists found that the urban area significantly contributes to the levels of PFAS in the Rio Grande.
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USGS scientists collected water samples from upstream and downstream of the urban area of Albuquerque, as well as treated water released from the wastewater treatment plant. Researchers found that PFAS levels were approximately 10 times higher in the river downstream of the urban area compared to upstream locations.
Researchers also noted that the PFAS levels changed over the 24 hours the team took samples from the Rio Grande. Some of the changes seemed to be from treated wastewater being released into the river. Other changes may have been from stormwater washing PFAS off streets and other surfaces in the Albuquerque area when it rained.
“Our study highlights the complex nature of chemicals associated with urban areas and their impact on river systems,” Kimberly Beisner, USGS hydrologist and lead author of the studies, stated in the news release.
