Health Violations Found NM 5 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Los Ojos Mdwca

EPA ID: NM3502921 · 237 people served · 1 ZIP code

Compliance tracking for Los Ojos Mdwca shows 16 pending violations logged in the EPA system — the supplier delivers water to approximately 237 residents while those findings remain open.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 62
Avg Safety Score
237
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
36
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0012 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
8
Contaminants Flagged

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 1 (2022) to 2 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Los Ojos Mdwca Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Los Ojos Mdwca'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

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. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

38 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
32 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 54% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Los Ojos Mdwca compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

E. coli at 6 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.

Contaminant 0700 at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Fecal Coliform at 5 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

E. coli was detected in this water system. UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

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Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $1,500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$7,500
10 years
$15,000
20 years
$30,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $3,000 (one-time) vs. $15,000 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Los Ojos Mdwca (EPA ID: NM3502921) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 237 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 87551 in Los Ojos.

Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

5 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 16 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
August 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2025 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2025 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Unresolved
May 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Unresolved
February 24, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2024 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2023 E. coli Monitoring Resolved
December 1, 2023 Fecal Coliform Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 8 No
E. coli Microbiological 6 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 5 Yes
Fecal Coliform Microbiological 5 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 4 Yes
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
87551 0.0012 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 Filter

Free 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 Los Ojos Mdwca (NM3502921) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Los Ojos Mdwca water safe to drink?

Los Ojos Mdwca has recorded 5 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 Los Ojos Mdwca serve?

Los Ojos Mdwca serves approximately 237 people across 1 ZIP code in New Mexico.

Where does Los Ojos Mdwca 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
Groundwater
Drawn from underground aquifers via wells.

Source: LOS OJOS MDWCA Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

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).

  • reporting
    2024-10-01/2024-12-18
    Consumer Confidence Rule adequacy/availability/content violation.
  • treatment technique
    2023-03-02/2024-01-17
    Ground Water Rule failure to address deficiency.
  • treatment technique
    2023-03-02/2024-12-26
    Ground Water Rule failure to address deficiency.
  • monitoring
    2023-10-01/2024-09-29
    Lead and Copper Rule follow-up or routine tap monitoring/reporting violation.

Violations record from LOS OJOS MDWCA 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

Is water from Los Ojos Mdwca safe to drink?
Los Ojos Mdwca has a C safety grade based on 36 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Los Ojos Mdwca's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, E. coli, Contaminant 0700, Fecal Coliform. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 5 contaminants above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Los Ojos Mdwca serve?
Los Ojos Mdwca serves approximately 237 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Los Ojos Mdwca's water source?
Los Ojos Mdwca draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Los Ojos Mdwca's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0012 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
Where does Los Ojos Mdwca get its water?
Los Ojos Mdwca'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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Los Ojos Mdwca (EPA ID: NM3502921) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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