Pinos Altos, NM Water Safety: 72/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Pinos Altos tap water earns a high safety grade — above-average compliance with NM and federal standards.
How Pinos Altos Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Pinos Altos Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.26 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Pinos Altos
Supply infrastructure in Pinos Altos, NM runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Pinos Altos, New Mexico (population ~149), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 348 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Pinos Altos — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Pinos Altos: B (72/100)
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
Pinos Altos water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Pinos Altos
- 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88053 | B | Pinos Altos Mdwca | 348 |
All ZIP Codes in Pinos Altos
- 88053 [B]
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 Pinos Altos
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
How Old Is Pinos Altos's Housing Stock?
With 63% 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
The character of Pinos Altos's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1972 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Pinos Altos 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.
Protecting Children from Lead in Pinos Altos
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 interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 63% of Pinos Altos homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Pinos Altos, NM