Potentially dangerous levels of heavy metals found in Mora County groundwater

Three years after the Hermits Peak/Calf Canyon fire, a slew of heavy metals have been detected in groundwater in Mora County.

While no one is sure of the exact source, they could have come from burned materials or firefighting efforts. Heavy rains earlier this year may have allowed wildfire-related contaminants to reemerge.

Eleven different metals were found at elevated levels in samples of groundwater from private wells, including three — antimony, arsenic and uranium — at levels above U.S. Environmental Protection Agency drinking water standards and one, manganese, above an EPA lifetime health advisory.

The state Department of Health is advising that well owners in Mora County get their wells tested for heavy metals and warns that boiling water is ineffective at removing them. In a Fr