Truth Or Consequences, NM: 15 Health Violations — 58/100
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Drilling into federal monitoring figures for Truth Or Consequences in NM, the pattern is middle-of-the-road — some utilities have documented MCL exceedances or treatment technique violations in recent years, while others have operated without a single flag, making the city's grade a genuine average rather than a rounded-down high.
How Truth Or Consequences Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Truth Or Consequences Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 47 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 71% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 17.02 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Truth Or Consequences
Multiple utilities divide Truth Or Consequences, NM's water service — 2 leading providers among 2 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Truth Or Consequences, New Mexico, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 6,459 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 15 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Truth Or Consequences: C (58/100)
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
Truth Or Consequences water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 1 |
| Nickel | Inorganic | 28 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 4 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87901 | C | 47 | 15 | Truth or Consequences |
All ZIP Codes in Truth Or Consequences
- 87901 [C] — 47 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 Truth Or Consequences
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 Truth Or Consequences
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Truth Or Consequences's Housing Stock?
With 71% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Truth Or Consequences — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1975 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Truth Or Consequences 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.
Truth Or Consequences: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity impact of remediation in Truth Or Consequences sits at a moderate level — real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Truth Or Consequences. The estimated $1,100–$4,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 44% below the New Mexico average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Truth Or Consequences
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.
71% — that captures the slice of Truth Or Consequences housing dating from before the federal ban on solder containing lead. It pairs with aggregate utility readings that either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L, the benchmark set under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. Together, the two figures shift one-home reads into a standard household-level confirmation, particularly for families with kids. A certified lead-removal filter is available through retailer-verified channels if a kit returns results that warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Truth Or Consequences
100% of ZIP codes in Truth Or Consequences are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 7 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Truth Or Consequences has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $6,938 per payout. 100% 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>$2,200</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.
What You Can Do in Truth Or Consequences
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Truth Or Consequences's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 71% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Truth Or Consequences, NM