History
Downtown Truth or Consequences sits on a hill above an aquifer. The aquifer was estimated in 1942 to produce 2.26 million gallons a day, making it one of the largest aquifers in North America. The water flows to the surface through faults, taking routes short enough that the water is still hot when it reaches the surface. The hot water also aids in freeing and dissolving minerals along the way. These unique mineral hot springs have long drawn people to Truth or Consequences.
Because of the hot mineral springs, which issued from the ground, the Southwestern Indians long before white settlement of the area considered the site of the present Truth or Consequences “neutral grounds”. Here they gathered without conflict for the inter-tribal exchange and to bathe their wounds and other ailments. During the latter half of the 1800′s two great ranches were established across the southern part of the area now covered by Sierra County. Cowboys from one of these ranches, the John Cross Ranch, built the first adobe bathhouse over Geronimo Spring.
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 sulfurs. A lot of mineral water is high in sulfur 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.
The chart goes out to a tenth of a part per million. 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 antiseptics 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.