Jal, NM: 1 Health Violation — 74/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Jal, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above NM's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Jal Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Jal Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,900 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.36 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Jal
One utility dominates residential water service in Jal, NM — out of 1 system in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Jal, New Mexico (population ~2,069), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,500 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 Jal: B (74/100)
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
Jal water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Jal
- 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 | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88252 | B | 3 | 1 | Jal Water Supply System |
All ZIP Codes in Jal
- 88252 [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.
CDC Health Data for Jal
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Jal
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Jal's Housing Stock?
With 84% 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
Decades of residential development in Jal took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1966, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city — a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.
Over half of homes in Jal 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.
Jal: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Jal are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Jal. The estimated $950–$3,200 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 49% below the New Mexico average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Jal
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.
Households with kids in the home — for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure — face a specific local picture in Jal. 84% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Jal
Flood history in Jal spans 7 NFIP claims and 100% flood zone coverage — enough to place it in moderate-exposure territory where flood events are genuinely recurring rather than statistical outliers. That distinction matters for water quality assessment because the connection between flooding and water safety is not uniform across communities. In low-exposure areas, flooding rarely generates the conditions needed to compromise treatment or distribution infrastructure. In high-exposure areas, it can do so repeatedly. Moderate-exposure communities sit in between: flood events occur with enough frequency to make periodic infrastructure stress a reasonable concern, particularly for private well owners and residents in lower-elevation FEMA-designated zones.
Jal has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $2,800 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>$1,900</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 Jal, NM