Cimarron, NM: 30 Health Violations — 33/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Cimarron has lagged behind NM benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Cimarron Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Cimarron Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 72 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.01 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.92 — above typical levels.
Cimarron's Water Providers
Water service in Cimarron, NM is split across 3 utilities out of 3 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Cimarron, New Mexico (population ~811), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 3,600 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 30 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cimarron: F (33/100)
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
Cimarron water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0100 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 40 | 1 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 30 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 18 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 16 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 12 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87714 | F | 72 | 30 | Philmont Boy Scout Ranch - Headquarters |
All ZIP Codes in Cimarron
- 87714 [F] — 72 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
Updated daily.
Cimarron Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Cimarron's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cimarron Infrastructure Age
With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Cimarron, where the median build year is 1971, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Cimarron were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Cimarron
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Cimarron sits in the high remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is material, and deliberate preparation is more than a convenience here.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Cimarron represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,900–$4,800. Home values here are 30% below the New Mexico average.
Cimarron: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Wherever 65% of local housing was built before solder rules changed — as is the case in Cimarron — a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Cimarron: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Cimarron's flood exposure sits in the moderate range: 2 NFIP claims on record and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones. Residents with private wells or older infrastructure have reasonable grounds to factor flood timing into their water quality awareness.
Cimarron has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $6,144 per payout. 100% 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>$3,000</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.
What You Can Do in Cimarron
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Cimarron's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- 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 Cimarron, NM