Well Water Testing

Monitoring water wells regularly is important, especially in arid and semi-arid regions like New Mexico. Learn about measuring depth of water in wells, collecting water samples to send off for laboratory testing, and keeping these records over time. Testing water quality and quantity can help agricultural producers and homeowners make informed decisions about their wells and underlying aquifers.

For more information about well monitoring and laboratories that provide water testing:

• New Mexico Environment Department
  
• NMSU Cooperative Extension county offices
  
• New Mexico Soil & Water Conservation Districts
• NMSU Extension Publications (water category)

Testing the age of well water provides important information to farmers, ranchers, and others dependent on well water to make informed decisions about their wells and underlying aquifers. Learn about age testing well water by measuring tritium and carbon 14.

For more information about natural and modern tritium levels in our region, consult:

• Groundwater Resources of Union County, New Mexico
  

Every well is different. Two wells right next to one another may be recharging in different ways, or may be drawing water from different parts of the underlying geology. This video explores the experience of well owners in Union County, New Mexico, who are gaining an understanding of local recharge conditions (or lack of recharge) by participating in a program to measure groundwater.

Participatory data collection and knowledge sharing can help well owners better understand their own groundwater resource story and plan for the future. For example, farmers who know they won’t be able to continue cultivating traditional crops, due to groundwater depletion, can explore alternative crops and pasture systems and establish new practices while they still have access to sufficient groundwater.