Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
27 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
For households across Rio Arriba County's 27 ZIP codes, below-average water safety data and recurring health violations make local monitoring worthwhile — checking the specific system serving an address is the most actionable starting point.
How Rio Arriba County Compares
How Rio Arriba County Compares
Rio Arriba County scores 9 points below the New Mexico state average (62/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Rio Arriba 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: 14 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 17%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $931, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.399% avg pipe failure probability, 37% of ZIPs at high risk
62.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Rio Arriba County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 48 violations. Past 5 years: 89 total (89 health-based). Health-based violations are rising versus the prior 2-year window — worth closer monitoring.
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: $931
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
11,391 housing units in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba 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 Rio Arriba County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Espanola Water System | 12,012 | 60 |
| 2 | Christ in the Desert Monastery | 30 | 55 |
| 3 | Alcalde Mdwca | 927 | 40 |
| 4 | Agua Sana Wua | 1,514 | 40 |
| 5 | Chama Water System | 1,573 | 37 |
44 total water systems serve Rio Arriba County.
All ZIP Codes in Rio Arriba County
27 ZIP codes tracked in Rio Arriba County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 87582 | Velarde | 69 | C | 1 (1 health) | $328K |
| 2 | 87527 | Dixon | 68 | C | 13 (2 health) | $399K |
| 3 | 87510 | Abiquiu | 67 | C | 18 (3 health) | $336K |
| 4 | 87530 | El Rito | 65 | C | 3 | $274K |
| 5 | 87539 | La Madera | 65 | C | 6 (1 health) | — |
| 6 | 87578 | Truchas | 65 | C | 4 (1 health) | — |
| 7 | 87012 | Coyote | 63 | C | 6 | $306K |
| 8 | 87551 | Los Ojos | 62 | C | 36 (5 health) | — |
| 9 | 87029 | Lindrith | 61 | C | 6 (1 health) | — |
| 10 | 87017 | Gallina | 60 | C | 22 (5 health) | $246K |
| 11 | 87523 | Cordova | 60 | C | 12 (2 health) | $150K |
| 12 | 87575 | Tierra Amarilla | 60 | C | 13 (2 health) | — |
| 13 | 87533 | Espanola | 59 | C | 21 (3 health) | — |
| 14 | 87516 | Canones | 58 | C | 5 | $525K |
| 15 | 87537 | Hernandez | 51 | D | 10 | $229K |
| 16 | 87064 | Youngsville | 50 | D | 2 (1 health) | $79K |
| 17 | 87515 | Canjilon | 46 | D | 1 | $352K |
| 18 | 87520 | Chama | 46 | D | 37 (9 health) | $207K |
| 19 | 87511 | Alcalde | 45 | D | 29 (10 health) | $229K |
| 20 | 87018 | Counselor | 40 | D | 0 | $33K |
| 21 | 87528 | Dulce | 40 | D | 0 | $65K |
| 22 | 87531 | Embudo | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 23 | 87548 | Medanales | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 24 | 87554 | Petaca | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 25 | 87566 | Ohkay Owingeh | 40 | D | 0 | $500K |
| 26 | 87518 | Cebolla | 35 | F | 12 (1 health) | — |
| 27 | 87581 | Vallecitos | 29 | F | 14 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Rio Arriba County
Four sources — EPA, NSF, FEMA, CDC — drive the match.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 62.7% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Rio Arriba County, New Mexico
Overview
Rio Arriba County in New Mexico covers 27 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
21 of 27 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 47 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.
What You Can Do
Rio Arriba County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
62.7% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.