Albuquerque, NM: 559 Health Violations - 38/100 (2026)
43 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Albuquerque: F.
Federal data flags serious home-safety risks for this ZIP.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (559 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Across Albuquerque, EPA compliance records fall well below NM averages - documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Albuquerque Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 9460 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
Water Quality in Albuquerque
We track water quality and home safety data for 43 ZIP codes in Albuquerque, New Mexico, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 652,362 people.
43 of 43 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 9,460 total, including 559 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: F (38/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 3311 | 43 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 3268 | 43 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 602 | 43 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 602 | 43 |
| Barium | Inorganic | 473 | 43 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L
- 57% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 10% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1980
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 44/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 16%
- 11 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 57% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Albuquerque residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
289,893 total housing units across 43 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 9,802 | 3% |
| 1940–1949 | 12,268 | 4% |
| 1950–1959 | 34,189 | 12% |
| 1960–1969 | 28,935 | 10% |
| 1970–1979 | 55,701 | 19% |
| 1980–1989 | 43,671 | 15% |
| 1990–1999 | 42,447 | 15% |
| 2000–2009 | 44,366 | 15% |
| 2010–2019 | 17,493 | 6% |
| 2020+ | 1,021 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Albuquerque:
- 170 flood insurance claims on record
- $1,408,231 total paid out
- $8,284 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 11 of 43 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 42 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 1 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87101 | 50/100 | D | 220 |
| 87102 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87104 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87106 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87108 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87110 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87111 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87113 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87120 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
| 87123 | 45/100 | D | 220 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87199 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87198 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87197 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87195 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87194 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87193 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87192 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87191 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87187 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
| 87185 | 33/100 | F | 220 |
What Albuquerque Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Albuquerque has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Albuquerque is in a high-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Albuquerque
- 87101 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87102 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87103 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87104 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87105 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87106 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87107 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87108 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87109 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87110 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87111 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87112 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87113 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87114 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87115 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87116 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87119 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87120 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87121 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87122 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87123 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87125 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87131 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87151 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87153 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87154 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87158 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87165 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87176 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87181 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87184 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87185 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87187 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87190 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87191 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87192 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87193 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87194 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87195 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87196 [D] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87197 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87198 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
- 87199 [F] - 220 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Albuquerque, NM?
Albuquerque has an average Home Safety Score of 38/100 (grade F) across 43 ZIP codes. There are 9460 recorded EPA violations, 559 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Albuquerque have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Albuquerque is 0.0020 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 57% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Albuquerque at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 170 flood insurance claims in Albuquerque ZIP codes, with an average payout of $8,284. 11 of 43 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Albuquerque homes?
57% of Albuquerque housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 10% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 16%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Albuquerque water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Lead and Copper Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule. Across 43 ZIP codes, 43 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
How Old Is Albuquerque's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median home in Albuquerque was built in 1980, after the federal ban on lead solder in plumbing. Most of the housing stock postdates that cutoff, placing typical plumbing risk on the lower end - though any home built before 1986 still warrants individual testing.
Most homes in Albuquerque were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Protecting Children from Lead in Albuquerque
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Albuquerque appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Albuquerque
The NFIP claim record for Albuquerque - 170 filed incidents - reflects genuine, recurring flood exposure rather than an isolated event or two. When a community accumulates flood claims at this volume and carries 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA-designated zones, flood history starts to factor into water quality planning in ways it doesn't for lower-exposure areas. Flooding introduces specific contamination pathways - runoff overwhelming treatment facility intake, surface water infiltrating private wells, and pressure disruptions in distribution systems allowing backflow - all of which become more relevant as flood frequency increases.
Albuquerque has a moderate flood history with 170 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Albuquerque
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Albuquerque, NM