Our Water

Mineral Water Analysis
At almost 2700 parts per million, our waters constitute some of the most heavily mineralized water in the United States and it has two unique features. First, the water has sulfates but no sulphurs. A lot of mineral water is high in sulphur which tends to have an unpleasant odor. This is not the case in Truth or Consequences. Second, the largest single ingredient is chloride. Chloride kills germ life in the water. These all occur naturally and ensure there are no germs or parasites in the water. Anything that comes off your skin is sterilized by the water and, due to the flowing action, is flushed out.

Mineral Water Analysis
Calcium	163
Magnesium	15
Sodium	751
Potassium	56
Bicarbonate	270
Sulfate	75
Chloride	1360
Fluoride	.03
Nitrate	.002
Silica	43
Total Dissolved Solids	2696

The chart goes out to a tenth of a part per million (to two decimal places). Go out a few decimal places more and you get traces of almost every element. Some trace elements that appear in the water are iodide, gold, silver, lithium, sodium fluoride, potassium chlorate, potassium permanganate, and magnesium sulfates. Many of these have known benefits: sodium fluoride is a disinfectant; potassium chlorate and potassium permanganate are anti-septics and disinfectants; magnesium sulfates are more commonly known as Epsom salts. The effects of the hot water (approximately 107 degrees F) and the elements of the water work in concert. The hot water opens up the pores and the salts aid in pulling toxins from the body.

The earliest know photo of people enjoying the health benefits of our Hot Mineral Springs. Thought to be from the 1860's or 70's, the photo shows that the therapeutic benefits of the Hot Springs have been long known. Photo and caption courtesy of LaRena Miller, A Visitors Guide to the Geronimo Trail.

The pH, or "potential of Hydrogen" measures the relative acidity or alkalinity of a solution from 0 (totally acid) to 14 (totally alkaline). A value of 7 is neutral. The optimum blood pH in a healthy body is slightly alkaline and should fall within the narrow range of 7.35 and 7.45. The healthy human body needs to maintain an alkaline pH level. Sustaining this slightly alkaline state is a constant challenge for the body because of all the acid producing foods and beverages we consume. The mineral waters of Truth or Consequences, New Mexico have a pH value of exactly 7.

Water is the lifeblood for all activities and is especially vital in the arid southwest. Most of the water available for use in this region comes from the mountain lands that make up much of the national forests. The Forest Service is charged with protecting and improving the water producing capabilities of the mountain watersheds. Rain and snow on the Gila bring 12 to 28 inches of water a year to this thirsty land, more than five million tons of water annually. Although timber, grass, and shrubs use some of the moisture, they more than pay their way by stabilizing the soil, thus allowing the remaining water to feed underground basins, creeks, springs, and man-made water developments, as well as the Gila, San Francisco, Mimbres, and Rio Grande rivers.