The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently published data indicating the presence of naturally occurring lithium in El Paso’s drinking water, a finding that was reported earlier in the spring.

Lithium is an alkali metal and is nontoxic in minimal doses. Lithium has no benefits in living organisms but is important for the functionality of batteries used in cameras, laptops, and phones. Additionally, lithium carbonate, a compound derived from lithium, is used in medication to treat manic depression, also known as bipolar disorder.

Cristina Montoya, EP Water Communication and Marketing Manager, explains that the presence of lithium in the drinking water is due to where El Paso’s gets it: groundwater.

In the EPA’s reports, multiple cities that rely on groundwater showed traces of lithium.

Montoya underscores the importance of continuous monitoring to guarantee water quality and to ensure that there is no risk to public health.

“The amount of lithium in a medical dosage is significantly higher than the concentration of lithium in El Paso’s groundwater,” Montoya said.

El Paso Water, the EPA, and over 6,000 water utilities collaborate to monitor for lithium and “unregulated contaminants,” under the Safe Drinking Act, and by the EPA’s fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). Their goal is to keep drinking water safe.

El Paso Water will be conducting water sampling starting in 2023 and continuing through 2025. This proactive approach is to comply with regulations and aims to preserve and maintain water quality to ensure citizens have access to safe and reliable water.

“Samples are taken from wells in the El Paso Water system along with treated water from river water treatment plants, a third-party lab is doing the analysis,” said Montoya.

These water samplings will take place every five years.

El Paso Water said they remain dedicated to transparency, sharing water quality and water source information with its customers.

“We send messages in customers’ bills every year about our annual drinking water report that is available online or by a printed copy,” said Montoya.

Currently, the EPA has not set any regulations because the amounts of lithium traced in the water are minimal, not posing a threat to citizens.

“You would have to drink about 600 glasses of water to get the same amount of lithium as one standard capsule,” said Montoya.

Customers who have concerns about water quality can contact (915) 594-5733 or view more information on the El Paso Water website: https://www.epwater.org/ Customers have the option to request their water to be tested, and El Paso Water said they are ready to help answer any questions that may arise.

This information provides valuable assurance to the El Paso community regarding the safety and quality of their water supply. El Paso Water, and the EPA are monitoring the water ensuring the safety and accessibility of water to citizens.

“We (El Paso Water) are cooperating with the EPA on investigating lithium and other substances in our drinking water,” said Montoya. 

Frida Acuna is the arts & culture editor and may be reached at [email protected].