The New Mexico Environment Department, in conjunction with the New Mexico Rural Water Association and a local water authority, is making 25,000 reusable cloth facemasks available to water and wastewater utility workers in the state. As part of its response to COVID-19, the state acquired the masks from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help protect these essential water utility workers.
Drinking water and wastewater utilities may request up to 10 masks per FTE.
Given that many utilities do not have capacity to backfill for essential workers if they fall ill, this program is a way for the state to help ensure continued availability of drinking water and wastewater services.
