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Drinking water quality is an important public health issue because clean and safe drinking water can have positive health impacts. When the water is unsafe to drink people could face many health problems. Most New Mexicans have access to drinking water that meets the national Safe Drinking Water Standards. Some New Mexicans haul their water.

Drinking water quality is an important public health issue because clean and safe drinking water can have positive health impacts. To reduce health risks, water that is hauled should come from a regulated source.

The New Mexico Environment Department Drinking Water Bureau regulates water supplied for hauling if the water is intended for drinking by 25 or people or 15 or more household connections, like community water systems:

Company NameCityPhone
East Mountain Water HaulingTijeras, NM505-281-1973
Hydro Pure Technology Inc.Aztec, NM505-334-1765
Oasis Enterprises Inc.Alamogordo, NM575-437-3820
Potco Water SystemMilan, NM505-287-3463
Updated August 2017

Sources of water hauling include getting water from a public water supply or buying bottled water. It is recommended that water should not be hauled from rivers, lakes, springs, or private wells (neither domestic or livestock).

People haul water for various reasons including lack of a water source or access to community water, lack of plumbing, and a private well went dry. Water hauling is typically associated with rural living but some people who live in communities also haul water.

  • If you haul water, make sure it is from a regulated source. It is recommended that water should not be hauled from rivers, lakes, springs, or private wells (neither domestic or livestock).
  • Use a food-grade water storage container that has a top that can be closed tightly.
  • Never use a container that has previously been used for anything that is toxic (bleach, pesticides, etc.).
  • If you decide to re-use storage containers, choose 2-liter plastic soft drink bottles (not plastic jugs or cardboard containers that have had milk or fruit juice in them since milk protein and fruit sugars cannot be adequately removed from these containers and provide an environment for bacterial growth).
  • Use a container with a narrow mouth, a lid, and a tap for water to come out is best to protect the water. When water is stored in a container with a wide mouth, it is easy to scoop out a drink with a cup, but if either the hand or the cup is not clean, it may contaminate the water, putting the people drinking it at risk of getting sick.
  • Do not use glass containers, because they are heavy and may break.