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Canoncito Faces Water Woes: State Tells Residents Not to Drink Water As Officials Look for Solution

Posted on: Wednesday, 4 January 2006, 12:00 CST

By Erica Cordova, The Santa Fe New Mexican, The Santa Fe New Mexican

Jan. 4--When Jacqueline and Paul Padilla moved to their brand-new home in Canoncito, they never expected to have to replace their dishwasher, washing machine and faucets so quickly. And like other homeowners they never expected that they would be told not to drink the water. The couple moved to Canoncito, on the south side of the Old Las Vegas Highway, five years ago with their five children. But water problems that have been discovered in the area have the Padilla's wanting to sell their home. State officials through the New Mexico Environment Department have issued an administrative compliance order, mandating that Canoncito Water Association come up with a plan to fix the water-quality problems. The Association is looking at a variety of solutions. Uranium and radium isotopes 226 and 228 are in wells and water tanks, from which residents get their water, according to the state Environment Department. The Padilla's, who inherited the land from family, said they moved to Canoncito from Santa Fe because they thought it would be a nice place to live. Jacqueline Padilla said she was told there were problems with the water system there, but not to the extent that it could be a nuisance to one's health. "If it's corroding our plumbing, our pipes and toilets, what is this doing to our bodies?" Padilla said, as she pointed out the clouded water that she got from the faucet. The family doesn't drink the water. "We shower in this water." Ron Romero, hydrologist with the state's water bureau, said the uranium and radium found in the area has been there for centuries and that uranium byproducts occur naturally in the ground. But recently, the state has become stricter in checking for contaminants in small communities that supply drinking water to residents. "The testing became more involved and regulations became more stringent," Romero said, noting that in April 2005 the state discovered the uranium and radium isotopes in Canoncito, and that's when it issued the compliance order. "Eventually the community is going to get water that is going to meet standards." According to the compliance order, the Canoncito Water Association must correct the contaminant level in the water system by April, 2008 -- three years after the order was issued. Len Flowers, epidemiologist for the state health department, said both the uranium and radium isotopes found in the water can cause health problems for people who consume it for several years. Flowers said although both contaminants can adversely affect the health of those who consume it, she said the likelihood of someone becoming sick if they drink the water for several years is slim. The two chemicals together measure in the water at 15 picocuries per liter, which exceeds the maximum contaminant level of 5 picocuries per liter. The uranium can cause kidney defects, while the radium isotopes can cause cancer, according to Flowers. The exact levels of how quick a person can get cancer from consuming water with those contaminants has not been determined. The state is still studying the health impacts, if any, on residents, Flowers said. Although both contaminants are related, Flowers said it's better to think of them as separate because they have different concentration levels and cause different problems to people's health. "The cancer potentially is higher in radium than it is in uranium," Flowers said, referring to the contaminant levels found in Canoncito. "The uranium is more of a concern for kidney toxicity than it is for cancer." Even though the chance of getting sick from the water is small, Flowers said some will prefer to take the risk. "It's a personal decision, and it's what you're comfortable with," Flowers said. "It's at a threshold level of where the toxicity can occur." Because of the potential health effects, the Water Association must abide by the compliance order by notifying the residents when they receive their water bills that contaminants exist in the water supply . Rita Gurule, board president of the Canoncito Water Association, said members are trying to work to find remedies. The Association has about two and a half years to comply with the compliance order or face fines and civil penalties. The community is looking into three options to comply with state requirements: Treating water from its two wells or distribution tanks; finding an additional water source from a nearby community such as Eldorado; or drilling a new well. Canoncito has applied for and received $775,000 in grants from the state and other appropriations to find a solution. Gurule said the association has been working with an engineering firm -- Souder, Miller and Associates -- to find a way to drill an exploratory well in the community. Gurule said they hope to find a place where there are no contaminants in the ground, but that isn't a guarantee. Also last month, Gurule and the Canoncito water association approached the Eldorado Water and Sanitation District to ask for help. Gurule requested that Eldorado look into the possibility of supplying Canoncito with water. "None of us drink the water," Gurule said, noting that residents there are afraid. "If you leave the water from the faucet sitting there for a long time, it's going to have residue. We need safe water for the community."

Jerry Cooper, Eldorado water board member, said the District will meet on Jan. 12 at 7 p.m. to discuss possibilities of helping Canoncito. "We are exploring options," Cooper said, noting that nothing is definite yet. "We are looking at possibilities of whether we can work together or not." Meanwhile, the Padillas -- who are just a few of the 500 residents that live in Canoncito who use the water to bathe -- say they are afraid. "My biggest concern is my health and my children's health," Padilla said, noting that she's broken out in rashes several times and some of her hair is falling out. Also said, the couple has gone through two dishwashers in five years, three washing machines and has had to replace piping underground in their home due to the corrosion. The National Guard supplies a 400-gallon water tank, known as a water buffalo, for the community. The tank is refilled every three days, according the National Guard. The Padillas said they've gotten water from the tank before, but they've found dirt at the bottom of their water bottles. Padilla, said she spends about $50 a week on drinking and cooking water. "Obviously the land is beautiful land, but without good water, how is anyone supposed to live," Padilla said. "It's ridiculous." Erica Cordova can be reached at 490-2507 or at ecordova@sfnewmexican.com

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Copyright (c) 2006, The Santa Fe New Mexican

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Source: The Santa Fe New Mexican

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