San Miguel County, New Mexico
15 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Water monitoring data from San Miguel County's 15 ZIP codes tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth checking.
How San Miguel County Compares
How San Miguel County Compares
San Miguel County scores 11 points below the New Mexico state average (62/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: San Miguel 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: 13.5 (asthma 9%, diabetes 17.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,213, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.408% avg pipe failure probability, 60% of ZIPs at high risk
59.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across San Miguel County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 39 violations. Past 5 years: 69 total (69 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: $1,213
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
14,011 housing units in San Miguel 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 San Miguel County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in San Miguel 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 San Miguel 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 San Miguel County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Pecos Mdwca | 413 | 88 |
| 2 | Las Vegas (city Of) | 14,530 | 57 |
| 3 | Tecolote Mdwca | 126 | 57 |
| 4 | El Creston Mdwca | 50 | 57 |
| 5 | Gabaldon Mdwca | 47 | 57 |
22 total water systems serve San Miguel County.
All ZIP Codes in San Miguel County
15 ZIP codes tracked in San Miguel County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 88416 | Conchas Dam | 69 | C | 3 (1 health) | — |
| 2 | 87742 | Rociada | 66 | C | 7 (1 health) | $235K |
| 3 | 87711 | Anton Chico | 65 | C | 13 (2 health) | — |
| 4 | 87583 | Villanueva | 61 | C | 2 (1 health) | — |
| 5 | 87538 | Ilfeld | 55 | C | 8 | $251K |
| 6 | 87552 | Pecos | 55 | C | 23 (4 health) | $241K |
| 7 | 87731 | Montezuma | 53 | D | 0 | $173K |
| 8 | 87565 | San Jose | 51 | D | 8 (3 health) | $10K ⚠ |
| 9 | 87562 | Rowe | 50 | D | 3 (1 health) | — |
| 10 | 87560 | Ribera | 46 | D | 15 (6 health) | $99K |
| 11 | 88421 | Garita | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 12 | 88431 | Newkirk | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 88439 | Trementina | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 14 | 87701 | Las Vegas | 35 | F | 57 (28 health) | $169K |
| 15 | 87569 | Serafina | 33 | F | 23 (13 health) | $187K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for San Miguel County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 59.7% 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
- Best HEPA Air Purifiers for Wildfire Smoke — Wildfire is the top compound risk factor
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for San Miguel County, New Mexico
Overview
San Miguel County in New Mexico covers 15 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
11 of 15 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 60 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
San Miguel 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
59.7% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.