San Rafael Water & Sanitation District
EPA ID: NM3525833 · 1,060 people served · 1 ZIP code
Looking at the EPA enforcement file for San Rafael Water & Sanitation District, 1 violation are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 1,060 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.
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 San Rafael Water & Sanitation District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
San Rafael Water & Sanitation District'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 4% of homes in Cibola 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 80th 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 San Rafael Water & Sanitation District compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 6 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 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 2 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
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
San Rafael Water & Sanitation District (EPA ID: NM3525833) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 1,060 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 87051 in San Rafael.
Average Home Safety Score: B (77/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| December 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 16, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 10, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 16, 2024 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Unresolved |
| November 23, 2023 | Contaminant 0700 | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | 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 | 6 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 5 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 2 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 87051 | 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
- 87051 — San Rafael
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for San Rafael Water & Sanitation District (NM3525833) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Rafael Water & Sanitation District water safe to drink?
San Rafael Water & Sanitation District 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 San Rafael Water & Sanitation District serve?
San Rafael Water & Sanitation District serves approximately 1,060 people across 1 ZIP code in New Mexico.
Where does San Rafael Water & Sanitation District 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: SAN RAFAEL WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT 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 SAN RAFAEL WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT 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:
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.
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).
-
CCR2017-10-01/2018-01-01
CCR Adequacy/Availability/Content violation
-
CCR2018-10-01/2019-01-01
CCR Adequacy/Availability/Content violation
-
CCR2019-10-01/2020-01-01
CCR Adequacy/Availability/Content violation
-
Ground Water Rule2015-03-07/2024-08-09
Failure to address deficiency under Ground Water Rule
Violations record from SAN RAFAEL WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT 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
San Rafael Water & Sanitation District (EPA ID: NM3525833) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.