Alto, NM: 3 Health Violations - Home Safety 75/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Alto: B.
This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.
Based on available records, Alto, NM holds an A or B ZipCheckup grade.
How Alto Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Alto Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations since 2021.
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0061 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 34% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $600 per household.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 14.13.
Who Supplies Your Water in Alto
Service in Alto, NM can differ by address: 5 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Alto, New Mexico (population ~3,178), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 6,607 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Alto: B (75/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Alto water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0061 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine | Disinfectant | 10 | 1 |
| Public Notice Rule | Reporting | 6 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule Revisions | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88312 | B | 18 | 3 | Alto Lakes Water and Sanitation District |
All ZIP Codes in Alto
- 88312 [B] - 18 violations ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Alto
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Alto Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Alto
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
1997 is the median build year in Alto, and the age breakdown below shows how much of the housing predates 1986.
Most homes in Alto were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Alto Homeowners
Low tier for Alto: remediation estimated at up to 1% of what homes are worth.
Estimated remediation costs in Alto can be compared with local home values. The $300–$1,500 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 65% above the New Mexico average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Alto
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Alto
Historical NFIP data for Alto contains 6 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,919. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The $600 remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alto, NM