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EPA Awards over $145,000 to Protect Drinking Water in New Mexico

Release Date: 10/05/2010
Contact Information: Contact Dave Bary or Joe Hubbard at (214) 665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov

(DALLAS – October 5, 2010) The New Mexico Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (NM EMNRD) will receive $145,176 from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to monitor underground injection wells in the state of New Mexico. The project will primarily cover two important areas: permit application review and water pollution reduction.

The funds will be used for both Class II and Class V wells. Class II wells are used for brine disposal and enhanced oil and gas recovery. Class V wells inject non-hazardous fluids into underground water sources and are typically found in shallow on-site disposal systems. There are more than 6,900 such wells in New Mexico.

EPA works with states to implement control measures to improve water quality and reduce the need for costly wastewater and drinking water treatment. Water pollution can come from many different sources thus the EPA uses a variety of pollution prevention and control measures.


Additional information on EPA grants: https://www.epa.gov/region6/gandf/index.htm

More about activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/region6

EPA audio file is available at: https://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/oct2010.html