In New Mexico, recent studies by the US Geological Survey and state environment officials have found cancer causing so-called forever chemicals in water sources.
As per the findings released by the federal agency on Wednesday (Apr 10), PFAs or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances were detected in major rivers across the arid state. However, the highest concentrations were found in downstream in urban areas.
High concentrations of forever chemicals
Researchers from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) started inspecting the water in New Mexico after contamination was discovered at military installations.
They found 10 times higher concentration of PFAs in the Rio Grande as it flows through Albuquerque, New Mexico’s largest city, compared to its upstream locations.
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Researchers also took dozens of samples from groundwater wells and surface water sites as part of an initial statewide survey between August 2020 and October 2021. However, the officials said that the majority of samples from wells did not turn up PFAs.
Future decisions
The latest findings surrounding forever chemicals and contamination will help regulators make decisions about protecting drinking water resources in the future, said Andy Jochems of the Environment Department’s water protection team.
Officials on Wednesday said they do not anticipate that the new regulation would require anything more than continued monitoring and reporting. This is because the utility that serves the Albuquerque area has not witnessed PFAS concentrations in the drinking water system approaching the EPA limits.
As per Kimberly Beisner, a USGS hydrologist and lead author of the studies, the change in concentrations could be due to wastewater discharges and stormwater run-off. Utility spokesperson David Morris said it’s possible that at some point there may need to be enhancements at the city’s sewage treatment plant.
Standards to curb ‘forever chemicals’ from drinking water
This comes, as the US Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday announced its first-ever drinking water standard to protect people against toxic “forever chemicals” found in many household and everyday items.
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In its first major move to curb the cancer-causing chemicals, the agency offered $1 billion to states for public water system testing.
The final rule is expected to impact around six and 10 per cent of the 66,000 public drinking water systems in the United States. Additionally, it will result in a significant decrease in exposure to the group of 15,000 chemicals known as PFAS for approximately 100 million individuals. It would help avoid tens of thousands of deaths that have been linked to PFAS, said the agency, as quoted by Reuters.
(With inputs from agencies)
Moohita Kaur Garg
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NM FAST (New Mexico Federal and State Technology) is now accepting applications for a free space-sector accelerator cohort designed to help New Mexico-based technology companies compete for federal funding through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs. The cohort targets founders and researchers pursuing grants from NASA, Space Force and related federal agencies, with programming set to launch July 21.
The cohort will admit six to 10 New Mexico companies and run for 10 to 12 weeks, meeting in weekly sessions of approximately one and a half to two hours. Programming covers the full arc of federal commercialization strategy, including space-sector SBIR/STTR opportunities and federal funding pathways, proposal development for technical narratives and commercialization components, federal procurement positioning and agency discovery, capital strategy and follow-on funding options, and transition planning from Phase I to Phase II awards. Participants also receive targeted one-on-one advisory support throughout the program. The cohort is offered at no cost to accepted companies.
The program is open to companies at both the pre-award and early-award stages. The majority of cohort seats are designed for Phase 0 companies preparing to submit Phase I SBIR/STTR applications to NASA or Space Force. A limited number of seats are available for Phase I awardees working toward Phase II readiness and Phase III transition planning.
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“New Mexico has a deep base of research and a growing pipeline of founders ready to translate that work into companies that can compete for federal R&D dollars,” said Carlos Murguia, director of the Technology and Innovation Gateway at Arrowhead Center. “This cohort focuses specifically on the space sector, pairing New Mexico companies with Larta’s expertise in SBIR and STTR commercialization to give founders a clear, structured path from early-stage research to federal award.”
Larta Institute, NM FAST’s commercialization partner for this program, will lead the full design and delivery of the accelerator curriculum. Larta has supported startups that have collectively raised more than $23.7 billion since 1993 and brings that track record to founders working in New Mexico’s growing aerospace and space technology sector.
The cohort aligns with the aerospace priority sector named in the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant and is relevant to companies working at the intersection of advanced computing, bioscience and advanced energy applications in space-related contexts.
NM FAST is administered by Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University and operates statewide, serving founders in Las Cruces, Albuquerque, Los Alamos and rural communities across New Mexico. Over more than a decade of programming, NM FAST has supported more than 470 New Mexico startups and helped companies secure nearly $28 million in federal SBIR awards. Targeted outreach is directed to rural, women, veteran and minority entrepreneurs.
The program is sponsored by the New Mexico Economic Development Department’s Technology and Innovation Office through the New Mexico Entrepreneurship Programmatic Support Grant, which supports continued statewide programming for SBIR/STTR-eligible companies in the four priority sectors.
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Applications are open now and will be accepted through July 14, 2026. Interested companies can apply at forms.gle/CqSwEL7LahqB5pGu9. Space is limited, and selected companies will be notified before the program launch.
SANTA FE, N.M. – Santa Fe County and Edgewood approved a new agreement and ordinance that secures ongoing fire and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
According to a joint announcement from the Town of Edgewood and Santa Fe County on June 19, the two governments negotiated and adopted a new Joint Powers Agreement and ordinance to keep the Santa Fe County Fire Department serving the town.
County and town representatives drafted the agreement together. The town adopted the ordinance unanimously at a special meeting on June 16, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty.
Santa Fe County District 3 Commissioner Camilla Bustamante said, “I believe we are all relieved to know that the people of Edgewood will continue to have the fire and EMS services necessary to protect their homes, their families, and their community. This community deserves nothing less.”
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The announcement said the ordinance takes effect five days after final publication. The statement also said no further action or approval is needed to guarantee continued fire suppression, fire prevention, and EMS services for Edgewood residents.
Both governments noted the agreement will continue indefinitely unless either side ends it with five years’ notice.
