Carlsbad, NM: 4 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
2 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
How does Carlsbad tap water hold up under EPA scrutiny? Above average for NM — documented violations are uncommon and the safety grade reflects a clean overall record.
How Carlsbad Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Carlsbad Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 102 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.46 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Carlsbad
Throughout Carlsbad, NM, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 6 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Carlsbad, New Mexico, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 40,151 people.
2 of 2 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 4 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Carlsbad: B (72/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Carlsbad water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 54 | 2 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 30 | 2 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 18 | 2 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 18 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 12 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88220 | B | 51 | 2 | Carlsbad Municipal Water System |
| 88221 | B | 51 | 2 | Carlsbad Municipal Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Carlsbad
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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Carlsbad
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Top Contaminants in Carlsbad Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Carlsbad Homeowners
For most homeowners in Carlsbad, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.
Remediation costs in Carlsbad are relatively low compared to home values. The $550–$2,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 6% below the New Mexico average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Carlsbad
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 Carlsbad 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Carlsbad
36 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Carlsbad, and 50% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Carlsbad has a moderate flood history with 36 FEMA claims averaging $8,408 per payout. 50% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,300</strong> remediation cost per household.
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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carlsbad, NM