Rio Rancho, NM: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety 78/100
3 ZIP codes · 2 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Rio Rancho: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Rio Rancho's tap water quality puts it in NM's upper tier - health-based violations are rare and the compliance record is consistently above average.
How Rio Rancho Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Rio Rancho Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 23% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.98.
Water Systems Serving Rio Rancho
2 water systems are tracked federally in Rio Rancho, NM. The top 2 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 108,378 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Rio Rancho: B (78/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Rio Rancho water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
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 | 3 | 2 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87144 | B | 7 | 1 | Rio Rancho Water & Ww Services |
| 87124 | B | 1 | 1 | Rio Rancho Water & Ww Services |
All ZIP Codes in Rio Rancho
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Rio Rancho
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 Rio Rancho
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Rio Rancho's Housing Stock?
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
A median build year of 2002 in Rio Rancho points to a housing stock where post-1986 construction is the norm. That matters because lead solder in plumbing - banned federally in 1986 - is a primary pathway by which older homes can elevate tap water lead above what enters the distribution system.
Most homes in Rio Rancho were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Rio Rancho: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Rio Rancho home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier - addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Rio Rancho are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,483–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 36% above the New Mexico average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Rio Rancho
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.
Pre-rule stock in Rio Rancho accounts for 23% of the inventory - a modest fraction - and citywide samples land safely beneath the federal action mark.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Rio Rancho
Historical NFIP data for Rio Rancho contains 8 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $8,454. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,300</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rio Rancho, NM