Water in New Mexico

Water Topics

When the water in our rivers, lakes, and oceans becomes polluted; it can endanger wildlife, make our drinking water unsafe, and threaten the waters where we swim and fish. EPA research supports efforts under the Clean Water Act and Safe Drinking Water Act.

Please visit EPA's main Water Topics page for more information.

Polvadera Creek Nonpoint Source Success StoryMap

Nonpoint source (NPS) pollution is defined as pollution that does not originate from a discrete regulated point source. NPS pollution is the result of diffuse sources of contamination such as rain or snowmelt that that move over and through the earth’s surface carrying pollution such as excess sediment, nitrogen, phosphorus, and bacteria to nearby waterbodies. NPS pollution is the leading remaining cause of water quality degradation and can impact drinking water, recreation, fisheries and wildlife.

Polvadera Creek website Map — **Polvadera Creek Map and Location**

The Clean Water Act Section 319 NPS Program addresses NPS pollution by providing federal grants for technical assistance, education, training and monitoring of restoration efforts. EPA’s national NPS program measures success through NPS Success Stories that highlight water bodies impaired by NPS pollution that have achieved documented water quality improvements using NPS program resources. These stories also describe innovative strategies used to reduce NPS pollution, the growth of partnerships, and a diversity of funding sources. NPS projects can provide climate resiliency benefits as well as providing environmental benefits to underserved/overburdened communities.

Please visit the New Mexico’s Polvadera Creek Nonpoint Source Success StoryMap page for more information.