Las Vegas, NM: 28 Health Violations — 35/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Federal monitoring data for Las Vegas puts the city in NM's lower safety tier — exceedances show up in multiple utility districts, several systems have met thresholds requiring public notification under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and the compliance deficit has persisted across more than one consecutive reporting cycle, with no clear reversal visible in the most recent data available.
How Las Vegas Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Las Vegas Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 57 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0021 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.55 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Las Vegas
3 independent water providers serve Las Vegas, NM — 5 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Las Vegas, New Mexico, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 17,864 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 28 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Las Vegas: F (35/100)
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
Las Vegas water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0021 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 20 | 1 |
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 16 | 1 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 16 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87701 | F | 57 | 28 | Las Vegas (city Of) |
All ZIP Codes in Las Vegas
- 87701 [F] — 57 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 Las Vegas
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 Las Vegas
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Las Vegas's Housing Stock?
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
Because the majority of Las Vegas's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1974 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Las Vegas 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.
Las Vegas: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property value and cost data for Las Vegas produce a moderate remediation-share classification — a level where advance financial planning has real practical value and the commitment is realistic for most homeowners who approach it deliberately.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Las Vegas. The estimated $1,900–$4,800 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 18% below the New Mexico average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Las Vegas
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.
Routinely in Las Vegas, where 65% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Las Vegas
Over the multi-decade window covered by the National Flood Insurance Program, Las Vegas has accumulated 97 claims — a total that suggests more than isolated flood exposure. With 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones, the water-quality implications of flooding move from hypothetical to periodically relevant: treatment intake can be compromised, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution backflow can occur.
Las Vegas has a moderate flood history with 97 FEMA claims averaging $6,985 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 Las Vegas
- 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 Fecal Coliform can reduce the most common contaminant found in Las Vegas'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 Las Vegas, NM