ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO — The New Mexico Environment Department has signed four agreements with Curry County dairies to launch investigation and cleanup work on PFAS‑contaminated groundwater linked to Cannon Air Force Base.
The agreements represent the first major step toward addressing a four‑mile plume of PFAS — a class of toxic “forever chemicals” — traced to firefighting foam used at the base. NMED will lead and fund the work, while seeking reimbursement from the U.S. Air Force.
According to the department, the Air Force has not responded to the state’s formal request to partner on cleanup efforts outside the base. The military has cited ongoing litigation with New Mexico as its reason for withholding a response.
The contamination has had significant impacts on nearby agricultural operations. Highland Dairy, a family-run business in Curry County, was forced to euthanize more than 3,600 cows after the herd tested positive for PFAS exposure.
NMED has rolled out several programs in recent years to support affected residents. The state’s PFAS Blood Testing Program — launched in fall 2024 — found that 99.7% of the 628 participants had PFOS, a common PFAS chemical, in their blood. The program was offered free to adults who lived or worked near Cannon Air Force Base.
Lawmakers approved $12 million in 2025 to extend a public drinking water system east of the base, connecting private wells impacted by the plume. NMED also began installing free filtration systems for private well owners in December 2025, with 47 filters installed as of March 6, 2026.
Multiple lawsuits remain active over the contamination, with New Mexico seeking to hold the U.S. Department of Defense legally and financially responsible. The state has spent more than $12 million on legal and technical actions related to the PFAS plume.
