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Welcome to the Bluewater Water & Sanitation District’s new website. (Please bear with us as we work on the initial design & content, and check back often, we intend to make this a hub for our community’s needs.)

current news:

Customer Newsletter – Winter 2025

Bluewater Water Sanitation District
Customer Newsletter – Winter 2025

Protect Our System – Flush Only the Three P’s: Pee, Poo, and (toilet) Paper

Dear Bluewater Water Sanitation District Customer,

Your wastewater collection and treatment system is designed to handle only human waste and toilet paper. Many common household items that are poured or flushed down drains and toilets are causing serious and expensive damage throughout our collection system.

Items That Should Never Go Down the Drain or Toilet

Feminine hygiene products (tampons, pads, etc.)
“Flushable” wipes (even if labeled flushable)
Paper towels, cleaning wipes, or baby wipes
Grease, fats, oils, and food scraps
Paints, solvents, chemicals, and medications
Dental floss, cotton balls, or Q-tips
Cat litter or aquarium gravel

How These Items Harm the System
These materials do not break down in water. Instead, they:

Wrap around and clog sewer pumps, forcing emergency repairs and overtime crews.
Build up in pipes, creating blockages that can lead to sewer backups into homes and streets.
Coat the inside of sewer lines with hardened grease (“fatbergs”), reducing flow capacity.
Interfere with the beneficial bacteria at our treatment plant that naturally break down waste. When the biology is disrupted, treatment becomes less effective and more costly.

Every repair and pump replacement is paid for through customer rates. Protecting the system together keeps everyone’s bills as low as possible.

The Hidden Cost of a Leaky Toilet
A running or leaking toilet can waste thousands of gallons per month without being noticed. One Bluewater customer recently discovered a faulty flapper valve that was allowing water to run continuously. Their normal monthly bill of $135–$140 jumped to $185 in a single billing cycle—an extra $45–$50 for water that simply disappeared down the drain. A 10-minute repair saved them hundreds of dollars per year. If your toilet runs after flushing or you hear it refilling frequently, please repair it promptly or contact us for guidance.

Winter Tips to Protect Your Pipes and Our System
Cold weather increases the risk of problems in both your home plumbing and our collection system. Please remember:

Never pour grease or cooking oil down the drain—holiday meals create more grease than usual, and it hardens quickly in cold pipes. Let it cool, then scrape into the trash.
Run a small trickle of water during extreme cold to prevent your own pipes from freezing; even a pencil-sized stream helps.
Keep outdoor sewer cleanouts and your home’s main shut-off valve accessible—clear snow and ice so crews can reach them quickly if needed.
Avoid using chemical drain cleaners; they can damage pipes and harm the treatment process.
If you will be away for an extended period, have someone check your home regularly for leaks or frozen pipes.

What You Can Do Today

Flush only human waste and toilet paper.
Scrape grease and food scraps into the trash; wipe pans with a paper towel before washing.
Dispose of wipes, chemicals, and medications in the garbage or at proper drop-off locations.
Check toilets for silent leaks (place a few drops of food coloring in the tank—if color appears in the bowl without flushing, you have a leak).

Thank you for doing your part to keep our collection system flowing smoothly, especially during the winter months, and for helping keep rates affordable for all.

If you have questions or need assistance, please call our office at (505) 658-5092 or visit www.bluewaterwsd.org.

Sincerely,

Paul Spencer
President, Board of Directors
Bluewater Water Sanitation District

Community Update

💧 Bluewater Water & Sanitation District – Community Update

Neighbors, friends, and fellow water users,

Your voice matters — and your participation shapes the future of our community.

Bluewater Water & Sanitation District (BWSD) is your local government, built on the founding principle that we are a republic — of the people, for the people, and by the people.

As we look toward the upcoming election, we encourage every member of our district to stay informed, engaged, and involved. Your vote and your voice guide the decisions that protect our most essential resource — water — and the infrastructure that sustains our homes and families.

💧 We’re also looking for two dedicated community members to join our Board of Directors.

These positions are vital to help us spend down over $800,000 in current capital outlay funds and to pursue additional, more affordable funding to repair and restore our aging and failing water and wastewater infrastructure.

Together, we can strengthen our system, modernize our operations, and build a sustainable, resilient future for generations to come.

Let’s work hand in hand — protecting our resources, our community, and our children’s tomorrow.

💧 Let’s build better — together.

— Bluewater Water & Sanitation District (BWSD)

Bluewater Water Sanitation District Newsletter, Aug 2025

Bluewater Water & Sanitation District (BWSD)

August 2025 Newsletter – Follow-Up

Community Leadership in Action

We’re thrilled to report a great turnout at the recent Nonpartisan Candidate & Volunteer Workshop!

Community members and candidates from across New Mexico came together to learn how to step into local elected roles and strengthen their communities. The energy and commitment in the room showed one thing clearly: local leadership matters.

Urgent Call: Open Seats on the BWSD Board

BWSD still has board positions open, and we urgently need committed community members to step up.

A full board ensures transparency, accountability, and progress as we work toward our mission of providing safe, clean, and affordable water for all BWSD water users.

Why It Matters

We’ve already secured $800,000 in capital outlay grants, but that’s only the beginning.

Our water and wastewater systems require major investments to:

Replace aging infrastructure
Reduce water loss
Expand sustainable solutions

There are abundant funding resources available—but we need strong leadership and active participation to access them. Together, we can build back better, stronger, and more resilient.

How You Can Help

Run for a Board Seat

Three seats are open for election this fall. This is your chance to help shape Bluewater’s future.

It’s not too late! The deadline is fast approaching. Don’t miss your chance—see last month’s letter for details. Visit us online: water87005.org for more information

Volunteer & Support

Even if you don’t run, you can still help by volunteering, attending meetings, and spreading the word.

Looking Ahead

BWSD has momentum—but the work isn’t finished. With your help, we can:

✔ Continue applying for grants

✔ Strengthen our water & wastewater systems

✔ Ensure a sustainable, affordable supply for generations to come

Get Involved Today

Your community needs you. Join us in this essential work to protect and improve Bluewater’s future.

📞 Paul Spencer, President of the Board

505.287.0156

🌐 Visit us online: water87005.org

Bluewater Water Sanitation District Newsletter July 31, 2025

Bluewater Water Sanitation District Newsletter

July 31, 2025

Dear BWSD Water Users,

In these pivotal times, your voice matters more than ever in shaping the future of our community’s water resources. At BWSD, we’re committed to delivering safe, clean, and affordable water to every household, but we can’t do it alone. We’ve recently secured a significant amount of capital outlay funding—a huge win that allows us to advance critical projects. Yet, it’s not enough to cover all the essential work ahead. That’s why we’re urgently pursuing additional affordable funding and technical assistance to strengthen our systems and serve you better. Now is the moment to step up, get involved, and ensure our water infrastructure is built back better, stronger, and more resilient for all stakeholders. No matter where you stand politically, local representation is key—it’s about community, not partisanship. Your participation can drive real change, and we’re here to support you every step of the way!

Community Engagement: Join the BWSD Board and Make a Lasting Impact

As a political subdivision with an elected board, BWSD is governed by a dedicated five-member committee, and three seats are up for reelection this fall 2025. This is your chance to represent your neighbors and help safeguard our shared water future! We invite all BWSD water users—regardless of political affiliation—to consider running for a board position. Imagine contributing your unique expertise and passion to decisions that ensure safe, clean, affordable water for generations. Newly elected members will receive comprehensive training to serve effectively, uncover funding opportunities, and access technical assistance for our vital projects. It’s empowering, rewarding, and urgently needed—toss your hat in the ring today and help us build a brighter Bluewater!

Time is of the essence: The deadline for candidates seeking local positions in Cibola County to file for the ballot is August 26, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Write-in candidates have until September 2, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Don’t let this opportunity slip by—your community is counting on you!

Upcoming Nonpartisan Training: Equip Yourself to Serve

Whether you’re a seasoned community member or just starting to think about public service, we’re excited to highlight an upcoming nonpartisan Candidate and Volunteer Workshop designed to empower anyone interested in local elected roles. This training is open to all, emphasizing skills that transcend politics and focus on effective community leadership.

Event Details:

Date: August 15, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM MT
Location: Indian Pueblo Cultural Center, 2401 12th Street Northwest, Albuquerque, NM 87104

This workshop, hosted by the Leadership Institute, will boost your campaign skills and prepare you to run a successful local effort. You’ll learn:

Candidate Development: Strategies to build winning campaigns, recruit community talent, and celebrate victories.
Voter Communications: How to understand your district, craft persuasive messages, and connect with voters.
Fundraising: Proven tactics to secure support for campaigns of any size.

Ideal for community members like you who want to get more involved—candidates, prospective candidates, spouses, staff, activists, and volunteers. The $25 registration fee includes a buffet lunch, and we encourage you to arrive 20 minutes early for check-in. This is a golden opportunity to gain the tools you need to serve effectively at the local level. Register now and take that inspiring first step toward making a difference!

Looking Ahead: More Funding, More Projects, More Progress

With the capital outlay funding we’ve secured, we’re already implementing key projects to reduce water loss and enhance sustainability. But there’s so much more to achieve, and we’re actively seeking additional resources from every avenue to support our mission. Your involvement—as a board member or engaged resident—will help us make informed, forward-thinking decisions. Together, we can create a more prosperous, resilient Bluewater where everyone thrives. It’s urgent, but it’s also incredibly uplifting: Every action you take builds toward a stronger community!

Get Involved Today

Join us in this essential work! By stepping up, we can improve our water infrastructure, ensure a sustainable supply, and protect what matters most. For more details on board elections, the workshop, or ways to get involved, visit water87005.org or contact us directly. Let’s unite, no matter our backgrounds, to build a safer, cleaner, and more prosperous Bluewater—together, we will succeed!

Sincerely,

The Bluewater Water Sanitation District Board

President of the Board,

Paul Spencer

505.287.0156

2024 Consumer Confidence Report

New Water Quality Report Available Now, go to the CCR Page HERE to download the latest reports.

Time’s up...

the Initial Service Line Inventories are due, and a lot of systems are still scrambling to finish...

so how'd Bluewater do? We still have about 60 service lines to verify, those had to be filed as 'unknowns' for the 2024 Inventory, but we have 190 confirmed Non-lead, and no lines currently requiring replacement. Still, we're only about 80% through when you factor in missing information on either/both sides of the meter.

We submitted our Inventory early this morning (on time), but we're still in the field actively collecting information. It's been a mad rush, but we've learned a lot and have started a proper GIS map of the system.

About Lead

About Lead

All Public Water Systems (PWS) are required by both Federal and State law to test regularly for Lead in the system. In New Mexico, systems our size are required to submit 5 samples every 3 years. Had these tests shown a problem, we'd have to submit more samples, more often. Of the sites we last tested, 3 came back with trace levels, less than half the Maximum Contaminant Limit (MCL); the other 2 came back at zero/undetected. Of course the desirable amount is zero, and our system is PVC, so those probably indicate lead solder on the interior plumbing.

How does lead enter drinking water?

The water provided by your drinking water utility is lead-free. Lead enters drinking water when plumbing materials that contain lead corrode, especially where the water has high acidity or low mineral content that corrodes pipes and fixtures. The most common sources of lead in drinking water are lead pipes, faucets, and fixtures. In homes with lead pipes that connect the home to the water main, also known as lead services lines, these pipes are typically the most significant source of lead in the water.

Lead Service Lines

Water service lines are the underground pipes that connect home plumbing systems to public water mains. Water service lines can be made of plastic, copper, galvanized steel or iron, and lead, and metal pipes may use lead in soldered joints.

Lead Service Lines (LSLs) were installed in the US up until the 1960s, and while many have been replaced, there are still large numbers in use. There are limited records on water service lines on private property as many were installed decades ago and may have been tampered with or replaced since then. The only way to properly identify and inventory LSLs is with property-by-property assessing. The EPA has made the finding and replacement of LSLs a public health priority.

Because of its softness, Lead pipes were only made to about 2 inches in diameter. Far too small to be used in Water Mains, this size would be adequate for most small buildings and homes.

How to Identify a Lead Service Line

Step 1: Find your Point of Entry (POE)

Find the water service line entering your house as close as possible to the POE (close to where it comes through the foundation wall or slab). The incoming water service in your home may come up from the basement floor or out of a wall in the basement. If you have a crawlspace, it will come out of the floor. If your house is on a slab, it will come up through the main floor, typically in a utility closet.

Step 2: Scratch test

If the pipe looks plastic, obviously it isn’t Lead, but if it looks metallic, try scratching it. Use a key or coin to scratch the pipe close to where it enters the house through the wall or floor.
What color is the pipe underneath?
- If it's silvery where you scratched, but dull/gray elsewhere, it's could be lead, especially if it was soft/easy to scratch, but test with a magnet to be sure. Like other serious contaminants, Lead is measured in Parts per Billion (PPB).
  (If it was Lead, note how easy it was to scratch/dislodge some from the surface. [wash your hands after handling it] It could be dislodged by abrasives like sand, or a significant change in pH- which is what happened in Flint, Michigan when they changed water sources to the river; their old supply had built up a layer of calcium scale due to high pH/minerals present, but the river had much lower pH and stripped that protective shell off the City’s Lead Service Lines. A whole lot of people got very sick. After that incident, the EPA started planning a nationwide initiative to find and remove ALL Lead from plumbing in the United States.)
- If it looks like a penny, that’s Copper, one of the safest metals, but still one we monitor for in high levels (PPM- Parts per Million). The main reason the EPA keeps an eye on Copper though, is because Lead Solder was commonly used in Copper Plumbing, up until Lead was banned nationwide in 1986. (note: there’s a new substance hitting the EPA’s radar called PFAS, which for the first time will require testing in the PPT- Parts per Trillion and PPQ- Parts per Quadrillion ranges. Like Lead, they are hoping to eliminate PFAS entirely due to accumulation in the body.)

Step 3: Magnet test

Hold a magnet to your service line.
- If a magnet will stick, you have a steel service line. (There’s a small list of metals that are Ferromagnetic, e.g. a magnet will stick to: Iron, Nickel, Cobalt. Of these, only Iron & its alloys were used in plumbing. Galvanized Steel was very common, it’s coated with Zinc, and may require replacement if it was ever downstream of a Lead source such as old piping. Stainless Steel is coated with Nickel, a toxic metal that also must be monitored; it’s not typically seen in plumbing, but is often used in knives and cookware, to keep the surface shiny and new looking.)
- If a magnet won't stick, and it is not obviously plastic, you may have a lead service line. (Again, be sure to wash your hands after handling Lead. While some may absorb through the skin, you could expose yourself far more if you ingest it or rub your eyes.)

Still not sure?

A licensed plumber can easily identify what type of material your service line is made of and assess your fittings for lead.

What You Can Do

If you believe you have a lead service line or fittings, you should take action to reduce exposure and coordinate with your utility.

Talk to your water provider

Once you have determined what type of material your service line is made of, it is important to report that information to your water utility, even if it is not lead. Reach out to your utility and let them know that you have identified your pipe material.

This information will be used to determine the scale of the lead pipe issue in your community and may be used to determine funding for assistance programs to replace the lead lines. This information will be critical in determining how regulators, utilities, and customers can properly address the problem. Your utility may also know of potential sources of funding too assist with homeowner costs of lead service line replacements.

Take steps to reduce lead exposure

Here are some things you can do to reduce your exposure if you think your home’s plumbing may have lead.

When water hasn’t been used for several hours, run all taps used for drinking and cooking. The flushing process could take from 30 seconds to 2 minutes or longer until it becomes cold or reaches a steady temperature. This will help flush old water and bring up fresh water from the water main. (The routine Lead Sampling required by NMED & the EPA require testing the 1st Liter, which looks at Lead in the house. 5th Liter testing rules this out and just looks at what’s coming in from the water system. So the rule of thumb is, if you want to clear out the old water from your plumbing, run about a gallon to flush it- you will probably feel a difference in temperature as the fresh water comes in, generally much colder- of course, if you have Lead, you probably don’t want to leave your hand in the flow to gauge that.)
Never use hot tap water for drinking, cooking, or making baby formula. Hot water dissolves and carries lead more easily.
Boiling water won’t remove lead and may even increase its concentration. The only way to remove lead from water is through filtering.
Water filters: There are a wide variety of water filters on the market – from simple pour-through pitcher style filters to professionally installed plumbed-in filter systems. Some filters can reduce lead, but if you’re considering this route, be sure to choose one that is tested and certified, like the NSF standard 53. For more information on filters visit NSF.org – NSF International provides consumer information about water filter capabilities, including those that claim to reduce lead. The NSF can also be reached at 800-NSF-8010.

More Resources

EPA Lead Resources

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Lead website contains information relating to all potential exposure routes for lead and what communities can do to address these issues.

EPA Protect Your Tap

The EPA's Protect Your Tap guide will help you determine if you have a lead service line bringing water into your home. It uses pictures, step-by-step directions to identify lead service lines, provides tips to reduce lead exposure, information on testing your water, and resources to learn more .

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The CDC's Lead in Drinking Water resource page contains information about the risks of lead and steps that you should consider to help reduce exposure.

New Mexico Environment Department’s Drinking Water Bureau (NMED DWB)