Roswell, NM: 3 Health Violations — 72/100 (2026)
3 ZIP codes · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Roswell, NM: reliable drinking water, above-average safety record, few violations.
How Roswell Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Roswell Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 15 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,767 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.77 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Roswell
With 3 utilities splitting service in Roswell, NM, water accountability is distributed across 4 systems on the federal record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Roswell, New Mexico, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 56,352 people.
3 of 3 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Roswell: 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
Roswell water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 3 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 4 | 3 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 3 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 3 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 3 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 88201 | C | 5 | 1 | Roswell Municipal Water System |
| 88202 | B | 5 | 1 | Roswell Municipal Water System |
| 88203 | C | 5 | 1 | Roswell Municipal Water System |
All ZIP Codes in Roswell
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 Roswell
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 Roswell
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Roswell's Housing Stock?
With 75% 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 Roswell's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1970 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 Roswell 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.
Roswell: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Property equity in Roswell sits at a moderate ratio to estimated remediation costs — a classification that reframes the household financial perspective from routine maintenance to deliberate budgeting, where most homeowners have a realistic path to addressing documented water and safety issues if they map the financial commitment against available resources before committing to scope.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Roswell. The estimated $1,617–$4,667 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 1% below the New Mexico average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Roswell
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Roswell have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 75% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Roswell
122 FEMA flood insurance claims are on file for Roswell, and 67% of local ZIP codes fall within federally designated flood zones — enough to put flood exposure on the planning radar, though short of the concentrated-risk threshold where treatment-system vulnerability becomes a primary consideration.
Roswell has a moderate flood history with 122 FEMA claims averaging $42,162 per payout. 67% 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>$2,767</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 Roswell, NM