Penasco, NM: 1 Health Violation — 51/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Penasco, NM water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Penasco Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Penasco Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 11 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0092 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.05 — above typical levels.
Penasco's Water Providers
In Penasco, NM, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 5 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Penasco, New Mexico, covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 1,470 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Penasco: D (51/100)
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
Penasco water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0092 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87553 | D | 11 | 1 | Penasco Mdwca |
All ZIP Codes in Penasco
- 87553 [D] — 11 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.
Penasco 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 Penasco's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Penasco Infrastructure Age
With 70% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Penasco, the median build year of 1975 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Penasco 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 Penasco
In Penasco, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity — the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Penasco are relatively low compared to home values. The $950–$2,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 3% below the New Mexico average.
Penasco: 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.
If 70% of the Penasco inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Penasco
- 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 Penasco's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% 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 Penasco, NM