Tierra Amarilla Mdwca
EPA ID: NM3503321 · 470 people served · 1 ZIP code
Right now, Tierra Amarilla Mdwca shows 2 EPA violations marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 470 residents while each finding awaits 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 (2023) to 1 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Tierra Amarilla Mdwca Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Tierra Amarilla Mdwca serves a community with a median household income of $77,471 and an estimated 1,131 residents across its service area. Approximately 60% 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?
Tierra Amarilla 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.
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
Detected Contaminants
How Tierra Amarilla Mdwca compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 0700 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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
Tierra Amarilla Mdwca (EPA ID: NM3503321) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 470 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 87575 in Tierra Amarilla.
Average Home Safety Score: C (60/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| February 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | 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 |
| July 1, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 27, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | 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 | 7 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Lead and Copper 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87575 | 0.0028 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
- 87575 — Tierra Amarilla
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Tierra Amarilla Mdwca (NM3503321) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tierra Amarilla Mdwca water safe to drink?
Tierra Amarilla Mdwca has recorded 2 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 Tierra Amarilla Mdwca serve?
Tierra Amarilla Mdwca serves approximately 470 people across 1 ZIP code in New Mexico.
Where does Tierra Amarilla 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: TIERRA AMARILLA 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.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from TIERRA AMARILLA MDWCA 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.
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).
-
monitoring2023-10-01/2025-01-15
CCR ADEQUACY/AVAILABILITY/CONTENT
-
monitoring2024-10-01/2025-01-15
CCR ADEQUACY/AVAILABILITY/CONTENT
-
monitoring2024-07-01/2024-11-05
CCR REPORT
-
treatment technique2023-04-27/2024-02-09
FAILURE ADDRESS DEFICIENCY (GWR)
-
treatment technique2023-04-27/2025-01-17
FAILURE ADDRESS DEFICIENCY (GWR)
Violations record from TIERRA AMARILLA 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
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
Tierra Amarilla Mdwca (EPA ID: NM3503321) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.