San Rafael, NM: 2 Health Violations — 77/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems in San Rafael, NM serve households with few reported safety events.
How San Rafael Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
San Rafael Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 17 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 95% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $700 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.87 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving San Rafael
Across most of San Rafael, NM, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in San Rafael, New Mexico (population ~393), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,060 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for San Rafael: B (77/100)
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
San Rafael 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)
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 | 12 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 10 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other | 4 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87051 | B | 17 | 2 | San Rafael Water & Sanitation District |
All ZIP Codes in San Rafael
- 87051 [B] — 17 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 San Rafael
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 San Rafael
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is San Rafael's Housing Stock?
With 95% 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
What does a median build year of 1962 mean for water safety in San Rafael? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in San Rafael 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 San Rafael
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 95% of the San Rafael 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for San Rafael, NM