Health Concerns Found SCHOOL DISTRICT

Albuquerque Public Schools (NM): 277 Health Violations

30 ZIP codes · 30 water systems · 12,016,181 people served · Updated 2026-07-23

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA drinking-water data for Albuquerque Public Schools: 3485 unresolved violations in the water systems serving this district.

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-07-23

D · 51
Avg Safety Score
30
ZIP Codes
30
Water Systems
4397
Violations (5yr)
0.0021 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Albuquerque Public Schools in New Mexico spans 30 ZIP codes served by 30 community water systems, providing water to approximately 12,016,181 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is D (51/100)

  • with the lowest-scoring area at 33/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 80% nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure - Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") - Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate - Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts - Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0021 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0073 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 30 -

EPA Violation History

277 health-based violations recorded across 28 of 30 ZIP codes in the past 5 years. 3485 violations remain unresolved.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 1533 Yes 21
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 1510 No 24
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 292 No 25
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 266 No 19
Barium Inorganic 216 Yes 20
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 202 No 23
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 126 Yes 25
Contaminant 0700 Other 123 Yes 26

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

22 of 30 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. - homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
87101 Albuquerque D (50) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87102 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87104 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87105 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87106 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87107 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87108 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87109 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87110 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87111 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87112 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87113 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87114 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87116 Albuquerque F (33) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87120 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87121 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87122 Albuquerque D (40) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87123 Albuquerque D (45) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87151 Albuquerque F (33) 220 13 0.002 mg/L No
87026 Laguna B (79) 149 3 0.0013 mg/L No
87068 Bosque Farms C (68) 18 9 0.001 mg/L No
87059 Tijeras F (33) 15 12 0.0019 mg/L No
87015 Edgewood C (65) 11 2 0.0019 mg/L No
87008 Cedar Crest C (63) 6 1 0.0073 mg/L No
87048 Corrales B (77) 6 1 0.002 mg/L No
87124 Rio Rancho B (82) 5 1 0.001 mg/L No
87144 Rio Rancho B (82) 5 1 0.001 mg/L No
87047 Sandia Park C (69) 2 0 0.0024 mg/L No
87022 Isleta D (53) 0 0 — —
87117 Kirtland Afb D (53) 0 0 — —

Water Systems Serving This District

Water System Population Served Source ZIP Codes
Albuquerque Water System 560,326 Surface water 87048, 87101, 87102 +18 more
Rio Rancho Water & Ww Services 107,350 Surface water 87114, 87124, 87144
University of New Mexico 35,000 Surface water 87101, 87102, 87104 +16 more
Kirtland Air Force Base 22,500 Groundwater 87101, 87102, 87104 +16 more
Bernalillo Water System 10,948 Groundwater 87144
Entranosa Water Association 8,500 Groundwater 87008, 87015, 87047, 87059
Epcor Water New Mexico Inc., Edgewood 6,795 Groundwater 87015, 87047
Sandia Peak Utility 6,079 Groundwater 87101, 87102, 87104 +16 more

30 water systems total serve this district.

Lead Risk Assessment

Lead risk: ELEVATED. 13 ZIP codes in this district have high lead exposure risk scores based on housing age and infrastructure.

Infrastructure Risk Factors

Risk Factor District Average Why It Matters
Housing built before 1986 51.5% Lead solder was used in plumbing until 1986
Housing built before 1950 8.1% Lead pipes were common before 1950
Lead service line probability 14.7% Estimated chance of lead pipes connecting homes to water mains
Average lead level (90th pctl) 0.0021 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Highest measured lead level 0.0073 mg/L EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L

Schools built before 1986 are especially at risk. Lead can leach from older pipes, fixtures, and solder joints into drinking water — particularly when water sits in pipes overnight or over weekends.

Detailed Violation History

4 health-based contaminants have triggered violations in this district: Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Barium, Stage 2 DBP Rule, Contaminant 0700.
Contaminant Category Total Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 1533 Yes 21
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 1510 No 24
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Technique 292 No 25
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 266 No 19
Barium Inorganic 216 Yes 20
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 202 No 23
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Technique 126 Yes 25
Contaminant 0700 Other 123 Yes 26
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 78 No 20
Total Coliform Microbiological 40 No 21

Most Recent Violations

  • Violation in ZIP 87008 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 87008 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 87008 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 87008 (Unknown date) — Unresolved
  • Violation in ZIP 87015 (Unknown date) — Unresolved

Is the Water Safe at Albuquerque Public Schools Schools?

Several factors warrant attention for families in the Albuquerque Public Schools area:

  • Water systems in this district have recorded 277 health-based violations. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose health risks.
  • 51.5% of buildings in this district predate 1986, increasing the risk of lead in school plumbing.
  • 3485 violations remain unresolved, meaning the issues have not been officially corrected.

Important context: EPA compliance data measures water quality at the utility level. Individual school buildings — especially older ones — may have additional risks from internal plumbing, lead fixtures, and stagnant water in pipes.

What Parents Should Do

Testing

  1. Request your school's water testing results. Under the EPA's 3Ts program, schools are encouraged to test drinking water. Ask the Albuquerque Public Schools school board for the most recent results.
  2. Test your home water. If your home was built before 1986, lead may be present in your plumbing. Free or low-cost test kits are often available from your water utility.

Advocacy

  1. Attend school board meetings and ask about the district's water quality testing schedule and remediation plans.
  2. Request lead fixture replacement if your child's school was built before 1986 and hasn't upgraded its plumbing.
  3. Contact your water utility about the 3485 unresolved violations in the district. Ask for a timeline for resolution.

Resources

ZIP Code Reports for This District

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school - The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) - Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water - Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Pack water from home - If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  5. Stay informed - Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Albuquerque Public Schools schools?

Water systems serving Albuquerque Public Schools have recorded 277 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While utilities are required to meet federal standards, individual school buildings may have older plumbing that can introduce contaminants. Parents should request lead testing results from their school.

Does Albuquerque Public Schools test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → New Mexico → Albuquerque Public Schools

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Albuquerque Public Schools (NM): 277 Health Violations. https://zipcheckup.com/schools/albuquerque-public-schools-nm/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-schools-albuquerque-public-schools-nm,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Albuquerque Public Schools (NM): 277 Health Violations}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/schools/albuquerque-public-schools-nm/}
}

Data as of July 2026.

Violations found - check filter options Free tool - no phone call required.