New Mexico Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in New Mexico, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Cannon Air Force Base Water System has the highest PFAS in New Mexico at 42 ppt (11x the EPA limit). Twin Forks Mdwca has the highest lead at 15 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in New Mexico
Public water systems in New Mexico with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cannon Air Force Base Water System | Cannon Afb · 7,832 served | 42 | 7 | 11x |
| 2 | Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley | – | 30.5 | 1 | 8x |
| 3 | Hobbs Municipal Water Supply | – | 16.2 | 5 | 4x |
| 4 | Eldorado Area Water And Sanitation Dist. | – | 16 | 1 | 4x |
| 5 | Alamogordo Domestic Water System | – | 7.4 | 1 | 2x |
| 6 | Elephant Butte Water System | – | 6.7 | 1 | 2x |
| 7 | Ruidoso Water System | – | 5.4 | 1 | 1x |
| 8 | Epcor Water New Mexico Inc Clovis | – | 4.3 | 1 | 1x |
| 9 | Dona Ana Mdwca | – | 4.2 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in New Mexico
Community water systems in New Mexico with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twin Forks Mdwca | Mayhill · 1,274 served | 15 | within |
| 2 | White Sands Missile Range (Main Post)-Ff | White Sands Missile Range · 4,300 served | 3.1 | within |
| 3 | University Of New Mexico | Albuquerque · 35,000 served | 3 | within |
| 4 | Kirtland Air Force Base | Albuquerque · 22,500 served | 2.5 | within |
| 5 | San Antonio Mdwca | San Antonio · 1,344 served | 2 | within |
| 6 | Elephant Butte, City Of | Elephant Butte · 1,350 served | 1.8 | within |
| 7 | Polvadera Mdwca | Lemitar · 2,470 served | 1.4 | within |
| 8 | Moongate Water System | Organ · 9,170 served | 1.1 | within |
| 9 | Rio Del Oro Water System | Rio Communities · 4,387 served | 0.8 | within |
| 10 | Cannon Air Force Base Water System | Cannon Afb · 7,832 served | 0.6 | within |
Most EPA Violations in New Mexico
Community water systems in New Mexico with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Twin Forks Mdwca | Mayhill · 1,274 served | 3 |
| 2 | Polvadera Mdwca | Lemitar · 2,470 served | 2 |
| 3 | Moongate Water System | Organ · 9,170 served | 1 |
| 4 | University Of New Mexico | Albuquerque · 35,000 served | 1 |
| 5 | White Sands Missile Range (Main Post)-Ff | White Sands Missile Range · 4,300 served | 1 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in New Mexico?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Cannon Air Force Base Water System in Cannon Afb had the highest recorded PFAS level in New Mexico at 42 ppt - about 11x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which New Mexico water system has the highest lead levels?
Twin Forks Mdwca in Mayhill had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in New Mexico under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 15 ppb (within the 15 ppb action level).
Which New Mexico water system has the most EPA violations?
Twin Forks Mdwca in Mayhill has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in New Mexico, with 3 violations.
Where does the New Mexico water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What New Mexico Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full New Mexico water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.