Belen Water System
EPA ID: NM3524932 · 10,830 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Compliance tracking for Belen Water System shows 165 pending violations logged in the EPA system — the supplier delivers water to approximately 10,830 residents while those findings remain open.
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 6 (2021) to 4 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Belen Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Belen Water System serves a community with a median household income of $38,290 and an estimated 21,597 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 67% 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?
Belen Water System'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 1% of homes in Valencia 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 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Belen Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead and Copper Rule at 75 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 68 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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.
Barium at 35 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 17 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
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
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
Belen Water System (EPA ID: NM3524932) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 10,830 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (56/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 28, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 12, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 6, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 26, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Barium | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 20, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | 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 | 75 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 68 | No |
| Barium | Inorganic | 35 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 17 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 9 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 2 | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87002 | 0.002 mg/L | No | N/A |
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: 1 ZIP code 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.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Belen Water System (NM3524932) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Belen Water System water safe to drink?
Belen Water System has recorded 20 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 Belen Water System serve?
Belen Water System serves approximately 10,830 people across 2 ZIP codes in New Mexico.
Where does Belen Water System 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: Belen 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.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
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 →
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).
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MCL · Arsenic2024-01-01/2024-03-31
Arsenic MCL exceedance.
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MCL · Arsenic2024-04-01/2024-06-30
Arsenic MCL exceedance.
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MONITORING · E. coli2024-11-23/2024-10-25
Monitoring triggered/additional for GWR, major.
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FAILURE ADDRESS DEFICIENCY (GWR)2021-10-20/2025-01-25
Failure to address deficiency under Ground Water Rule.
Violations record from Belen 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.
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.
- #22 / 100 Most Unresolved Health Violations (U.S.)
- #54 / 100 Highest Exposure Burden (U.S.)
- #9 / 43 Most Disadvantaged Populations Served (New Mexico)
- #3 / 30 Highest Exposure Burden (New Mexico)
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
Belen Water System (EPA ID: NM3524932) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.