Carlsbad, NM: 5 Health Violations - Home Safety 67/100
2 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Carlsbad: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (5 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Recent monitoring in Carlsbad shows middle-tier safety for NM - some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.
How Carlsbad Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Carlsbad Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 56 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 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 4 total systems - independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Carlsbad, New Mexico, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 40,151 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 5 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Carlsbad: C (67/100)
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
Carlsbad water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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
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 | 30 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 26 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 12 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 12 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1085 | Other | 8 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88220 | C | 56 | 5 | 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
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.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Carlsbad
Historical NFIP data for Carlsbad contains 36 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $12,612. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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 <strong>$1,300</strong> 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.
What You Can Do in Carlsbad
- 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. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Carlsbad's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Carlsbad, NM