Otero County, New Mexico
15 ZIP codes · Avg score 76/100 · Grade B · Updated 2026-06-03
Otero County — 15 ZIP codes, above-average safety grade.
How Otero County Compares
How Otero County Compares
Otero 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
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Otero County, New Mexico
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.1 (asthma 10%, diabetes 12.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,922, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.373% avg pipe failure probability, 47% of ZIPs at high risk
63.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Otero County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 14 violations. Past 5 years: 25 total (25 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,922
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
28,089 housing units in Otero County
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 Otero County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Otero 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 Otero County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Otero County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TULAROSA WATER SYSTEM | 3,458 | 82 |
| 2 | Boles Acres Water System | 657 | 28 |
| 3 | Timberon W and Sd | 2,698 | 26 |
| 4 | Alamogordo Domestic Water System | 35,301 | 24 |
| 5 | Cloud Country West Water System | 684 | 22 |
24 total water systems serve Otero County.
All ZIP Codes in Otero County
15 ZIP codes tracked in Otero County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88342 | Orogrande | 83 | B | 1 | — |
| 2 | 88354 | Weed | 83 | B | 1 | — |
| 3 | 88317 | Cloudcroft | 82 | B | 2 | $206K |
| 4 | 88344 | Pinon | 82 | B | 2 | $128K |
| 5 | 88349 | Sunspot | 82 | B | 12 (1 health) | — |
| 6 | 88330 | Holloman Air Force Base | 81 | B | 5 | — |
| 7 | 88339 | Mayhill | 81 | B | 12 (2 health) | $244K |
| 8 | 88337 | La Luz | 80 | B | 4 | $144K |
| 9 | 88311 | Alamogordo | 78 | B | 10 | $102K |
| 10 | 88325 | High Rolls Mountain Park | 78 | B | 8 (2 health) | $246K |
| 11 | 88352 | Tularosa | 76 | B | 82 (4 health) | $122K |
| 12 | 88310 | Alamogordo | 68 | C | 10 | $164K |
| 13 | 88314 | Bent | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 14 | 88347 | Sacramento | 63 | C | 0 | — |
| 15 | 88350 | Timberon | 53 | D | 26 (6 health) | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Otero County
Editorial-only picks, screened against the EPA detections on file.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 63.4% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Otero County, New Mexico
Overview
Otero County in New Mexico covers 15 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of B (76/100).
13 of 15 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 15 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to New Mexico water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.