Columbus, NM: 1 Health Violation — 71/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Columbus, NM scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Columbus Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Columbus Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.02 — above typical levels.
Columbus's Water Providers
A single dominant system supplies most of Columbus, NM. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Columbus, New Mexico (population ~1,150), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,200 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Columbus: B (71/100)
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
Columbus water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Columbus
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88029 | B | 3 | 1 | Columbus Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Columbus
- 88029 [B] — 3 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.
Columbus 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 Columbus's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Columbus Infrastructure Age
With 59% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Columbus's median build year of 1987 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Columbus 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 Columbus
At current valuations, Columbus sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Columbus are relatively low compared to home values. The $150–$1,400 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 56% below the New Mexico average.
Columbus: 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.
Older stock in Columbus represents 59% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level — making an in-home read a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbus, NM