COUNTY REPORT NM

Ocean County, New Mexico

1 ZIP code · Avg score 76/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03

Within Ocean County, all 1 tracked ZIP code show above-average drinking water safety — violations are infrequent and typically minor.

How Ocean County Compares

Ocean County76/100
New Mexico avg62/100
National avg68/100

How Ocean County Compares

B
County Grade
76/100
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIP Codes
9
Water Systems

Ocean County scores 14 points above the New Mexico state average (62/100) and 8 points above the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

B
County Grade
76
Avg Safety Score
1
ZIP Codes
Only ZIP: 87532
$225K
Median Home Value
$3,000
Avg Remediation (133% of home value)

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 12.5 (asthma 9.2%, diabetes 11.4%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,250, driven primarily by flood

Infrastructure: 0.41% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk

60% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

Violation History (2024–2025)

→ Stable trend

EPA violation counts by year across Ocean County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.

2024
8 (8 health)
2025
7 (7 health)

Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 15 total (15 health-based).

Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9.2% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.4% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 29.8% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1988
Median Build Year
60%
Pre-1978 Housing
41%
Pipe Failure Probability
100%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
Low
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,250

Flood $600/yr
Wildfire $300/yr
Energy Code Gap $270/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

8,859 housing units in Ocean County

Pre-1940 3%
1940–1959 13%
1960–1979 30%
1980–1999 39%
2000+ 14%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Ocean County

$225K
Median Home Value
$3,000
Est. Remediation Cost
1.3%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Ocean County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Ocean County residents

Asthma 9.2% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 11.4% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 29.8% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Ocean County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Espanola Water System 12,012 21
2 Cuatro Villas Mdwca 420 21
3 Agua Sana Wua 1,514 21
4 Greater Chimayo Mdwca 1,050 21
5 Alcalde Mdwca 927 21

9 total water systems serve Ocean County.

All ZIP Codes in Ocean County

1 ZIP code tracked in Ocean County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 87532 Espanola 76 B 21 (3 health) $225K

Recommended Buyer Guides for Ocean County

Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.

Overview

Ocean County in New Mexico covers 1 ZIP code with an average Home Safety Score of B (76/100).

1 of 1 ZIP code have recorded EPA violations. 3 health-based violations have been documented.

← Back to New Mexico water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Ocean County?
Ocean County receives a grade of B, indicating generally safe tap water across its 1 ZIP codes.
How many water systems serve Ocean County?
Ocean County is served by 9 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 1 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Ocean County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Ocean County is flood. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $1,250 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Ocean County?
The median home build year in Ocean County is 1988. 60% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Ocean County compare to New Mexico?
Ocean County has an average water safety score of 76/100, which is above the New Mexico state average of 62/100.

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