Health Violations Found NM 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Arroyo Seco Mdwca

EPA ID: NM3505529 · 444 people served · 5 ZIP codes

Arroyo Seco Mdwca carries 2 open EPA violations that remain unresolved in the federal system — approximately 444 people fall within its service area.

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

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
444
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
16
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$417K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 1 (2023) to 16 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Arroyo Seco Mdwca Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$70,934
Median Household Income
15,409
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
70th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
49%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Arroyo Seco Mdwca serves a community with a median household income of $70,934 and an estimated 15,409 residents across its service area. Approximately 49% 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?

Groundwater

Arroyo Seco 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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Taos County, New Mexico rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

41 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
29 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Arroyo Seco Mdwca compares to EPA limits

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in New Mexico

0 violations
Yah Ta Hey W & Sd
435 people
0 violations
Valley Mdwca
454 people
0 violations
B 5 violations

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 $960
Water Filtration $240
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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 $2,400 (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

Arroyo Seco Mdwca (EPA ID: NM3505529) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 444 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)

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

Violation History

2 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 1, 2025 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Health-based Resolved
October 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Surface Water Treatment Rule Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2023 Surface Water Treatment Rule 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 7 No
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 4 Yes
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 2 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 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
87514 0.001 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

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by NM or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Arroyo Seco Mdwca (NM3505529) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Arroyo Seco Mdwca water safe to drink?

Arroyo Seco 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 Arroyo Seco Mdwca serve?

Arroyo Seco Mdwca serves approximately 444 people across 5 ZIP codes in New Mexico.

Where does Arroyo Seco 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.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorine

Source: ARROYO SECO 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
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

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.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from ARROYO SECO 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.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
104
Unknown Material
0
Confirmed Non-Lead

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.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2020-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Reporting compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 2E.
Compliance issue flagged by EPA under Rule 4G.
Population served: 444
Reported to New Mexico

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.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

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
    CCR ADEQUACY/AVAILABILITY/CONTENT violation
  • reporting
    2024-07-01
    CCR REPORT violation

Violations record from ARROYO SECO 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 Arroyo Seco Mdwca safe to drink?
Arroyo Seco Mdwca has a C safety grade based on 16 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Arroyo Seco Mdwca's water?
Detected contaminants include Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 2 DBP Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule. 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 Arroyo Seco Mdwca serve?
Arroyo Seco Mdwca serves approximately 444 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Arroyo Seco Mdwca's water source?
Arroyo Seco Mdwca draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Arroyo Seco Mdwca's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.001 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Arroyo Seco Mdwca's service area?
The Arroyo Seco Mdwca service area has a median household income of $70,934. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Arroyo Seco Mdwca get its water?
Arroyo Seco 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

Arroyo Seco Mdwca (EPA ID: NM3505529) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems New Mexico Arroyo Seco Mdwca

Get safety alerts for Arroyo Seco Mdwca, New Mexico

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.