U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich announced today that he has co-sponsored new legislation called the Healthy H2O Act to protect New Mexico communities from dangerous contaminants like PFAS, also known as “forever chemicals.” This directly follows the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)’s announcement of the first-ever national, legally enforceable drinking water standard that will reduce Americans’ exposure to PFAS.
Exposure to PFAS has been linked to deadly cancers, impacts on the liver and heart, and immune and developmental damage to infants and children.
“Clean water is essential to the health and economic well-being of working families,” said Heinrich. “I’m proud to cosponsor legislation that will protect New Mexicans in rural communities from dangerous forever chemicals by providing access to new technology that detects and gets rid of water contaminants.”
Grants for water testing in NM
The Healthy H2O Act would provide grants for water testing and treatment technology directly to individuals and non-profits in rural communities. About 270,000 New Mexicans, or 13 percent of the state population (primarily in rural communities), rely exclusively on groundwater delivered through private wells for their drinking water. These groundwater sources are not subject to the same oversight and testing for contamination of public water sources. Water quality improvement systems installed at the faucet or within a building can provide immediate and ongoing protection from known and emerging water contaminants, like PFAS, lead, and nitrates.
Yesterday, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the New Mexico Environment Dept. (NMED) released two statewide studies released found that PFAS chemicals have been detected in groundwater and surface water resources across New Mexico. The study found urban areas — like Albuquerque — are the most significant contributor.
Funding for states’ response to PFAS
Another initiative Heinrich has sponsored, the Technical Fix for the State Response to Contaminants Program would ensure that states have the flexibility to use funding from the $5 billion provided in the Infrastructure Law — which Heinrich helped pass into law — for PFAS and others emerging contaminants in small or disadvantaged communities to help private well owners get rid of toxins in their drinking water.
Congress intended that funding be available to states to address private well contamination and more. Currently, the EPA interprets the statute as only allowing for assistance to private wells if it is being used to connect to public water systems. Because connecting to public water systems may not be feasible or desirable in all cases, this bill clarifies that assistance may be provided for the benefit of well owners who are not public water systems and are not connected to a public water system.
The Technical Fix for the State Response to Contaminants Program Act is led by U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.). Alongside Heinrich, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Angus King (I-Maine). The text of the bill is here.
The Healthy H2O Act is led by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Alongside Heinrich, the legislation is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Angus King (I-Maine). The text of the bill is here.