Taos County, New Mexico
21 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Monitoring figures for Taos County indicate average water quality overall — some ZIP codes among the 21 tracked have recorded health-based violations, while others operate cleanly, making individual ZIP-level data the most actionable reference point.
How Taos County Compares
How Taos County Compares
Taos County scores 3 points below the New Mexico state average (62/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Taos 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 9.4%, diabetes 15.2%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,450, driven primarily by wildfire
Infrastructure: 0.371% avg pipe failure probability, 33% of ZIPs at high risk
56.1% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2025)
↑ Worsening trendEPA violation counts by year across Taos County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 37 violations. Past 5 years: 47 total (47 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: $1,450
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
21,704 housing units in Taos 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 Taos County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Taos 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 Taos 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 Taos County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lower Des Montes Mdwca | 319 | 52 |
| 2 | Arroyo Seco Mdwca | 444 | 43 |
| 3 | Upper Des Montes Mdwca | 222 | 43 |
| 4 | Lower Arroyo Hondo Mdwca | 180 | 34 |
| 5 | Valdez Mdwca | 100 | 25 |
41 total water systems serve Taos County.
All ZIP Codes in Taos County
21 ZIP codes tracked in Taos County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 87571 | Taos | 69 | C | 5 (1 health) | $417K |
| 2 | 87529 | El Prado | 68 | C | 9 (2 health) | $394K |
| 3 | 87556 | Questa | 68 | C | 10 (2 health) | $227K |
| 4 | 87580 | Valdez | 68 | C | 4 | — |
| 5 | 87525 | Taos Ski Valley | 66 | C | 0 | — |
| 6 | 87564 | San Cristobal | 66 | C | 1 | — |
| 7 | 87577 | Tres Piedras | 66 | C | 2 (1 health) | $329K |
| 8 | 87543 | Llano | 65 | C | 2 (1 health) | — |
| 9 | 87513 | Arroyo Hondo | 64 | C | 18 (3 health) | $403K |
| 10 | 87514 | Arroyo Seco | 64 | C | 16 (2 health) | $521K |
| 11 | 87579 | Vadito | 62 | C | 6 | $125K |
| 12 | 87524 | Costilla | 61 | C | 13 (1 health) | — |
| 13 | 87558 | Red River | 61 | C | 3 (1 health) | $430K |
| 14 | 87557 | Ranchos De Taos | 56 | C | 7 (2 health) | $373K |
| 15 | 87576 | Trampas | 56 | C | 5 (2 health) | — |
| 16 | 87519 | Cerro | 55 | C | 1 | $416K |
| 17 | 87521 | Chamisal | 55 | C | 1 | $189K |
| 18 | 87553 | Penasco | 51 | D | 11 (1 health) | $200K |
| 19 | 87549 | Ojo Caliente | 44 | D | 14 (6 health) | $257K |
| 20 | 87512 | Amalia | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 21 | 87517 | Carson | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Taos County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 56.1% 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 Taos County, New Mexico
Overview
Taos County in New Mexico covers 21 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).
18 of 21 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 25 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.