Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley
EPA ID: NM3502407 · 11,542 people served · 11 ZIP codes
Within the EPA compliance database, Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley shows 4 violations still pending resolution — a status that applies across the full service territory of approximately 11,542 people and reflects findings that have not yet cleared the federal enforcement process or received formal closure.
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 (2022) to 19 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley serves a community with a median household income of $49,432 and an estimated 156,927 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: 66% 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?
Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 2% of homes in Doña Ana County, New Mexico rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 70th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0700 at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 6 detections recorded.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in New Mexico
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
Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley (EPA ID: NM3502407) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 11,542 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 11 ZIP codes across 8 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 23, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 14, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 22, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 15, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 12, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| August 11, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 3, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Resolved |
| June 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 3, 2023 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 23, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 6 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 4 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 2 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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
Coverage: 10 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 88001 — Las Cruces
- 88005 — Las Cruces
- 88011 — Las Cruces
- 88012 — Las Cruces
- 88021 — Anthony
- 88024 — Berino
- 88044 — La Mesa
- 88047 — Mesilla Park
- 88048 — Mesquite
- 88052 — Organ
- 88072 — Vado
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley (NM3502407) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley water safe to drink?
Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley has recorded 4 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 Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley serve?
Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley serves approximately 11,542 people across 11 ZIP codes in New Mexico.
Where does Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Water Source & Treatment
Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.
Source: Lower Rio Grande PWWA South Valley Consumer Confidence Report.
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
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.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
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
Lower Rio Grande Pwwa South Valley (EPA ID: NM3502407) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.