Chama Water System
EPA ID: NM3501021 · 1,573 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Pulled from the federal compliance ledger, 9 violations at Chama Water System remain without resolution — the utility delivers drinking water to roughly 1,573 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 1 (2021) to 1 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Chama Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The Chama Water System serves a community with a median household income of $52,448 and an estimated 4,324 residents across its service area. Approximately 41% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Chama Water System's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 3% of homes in Rio Arriba County, New Mexico rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Chama Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Lead and Copper Rule at 11 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Fecal Coliform at 11 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
E. coli at 5 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Chama Water System (EPA ID: NM3501021) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 1,573 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (43/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 13, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 31, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 19, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 12, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 2, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Monitoring | Resolved |
| June 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Health-based | Resolved |
| May 23, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Health-based | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2023 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 14, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Fecal Coliform | Health-based | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 11 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 11 | Yes |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 5 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 1 | Yes |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87520 | 0.0046 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Chama Water System (NM3501021) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chama Water System water safe to drink?
Chama Water System has recorded 9 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Chama Water System serve?
Chama Water System serves approximately 1,573 people across 2 ZIP codes in New Mexico.
Where does Chama Water System get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: Chama Water System Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment chemicals and what each one does
Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Chama Water System Consumer Confidence Report.
Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Notable events and violations
This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.
Federal compliance violations on record
These entries are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR violations section. EPA defines four broad violation categories: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), Treatment Technique (TT), Monitoring & Reporting (M&R), and Public Notification (PN).
-
monitoring2023-10-01
CCR Adequacy/Availability/Content violation
-
treatment technique2023-07-02
CPE Failure (EI/LT1 SWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-08-31
CPE Failure (EI/LT1 SWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-05-02
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-05-02
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-05-13
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-05-13
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-06-02
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
-
public notice2023-08-19
Public Notification Rule linked to violation
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public notice2024-04-13
Public Notification Rule linked to violation
-
treatment technique2023-11-23
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
-
treatment technique2023-11-23
Failure Address Deficiency (IESWTR)
Violations record from Chama Water System Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Chama Water System (EPA ID: NM3501021) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.