Health Violations Found NM 3 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

City of Raton/raton Water Works

EPA ID: NM3526704 · 9,733 people served · 1 ZIP code

Looking at the EPA enforcement file for City of Raton/raton Water Works, 2 violations are listed as unresolved — those findings cover the utility's service area of approximately 9,733 people and remain open in the federal compliance system, awaiting formal corrective action documentation.

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

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
9,733
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
20
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
7
Contaminants Flagged
$157K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 2 (2021) to 1 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Raton/raton Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$52,856
Median Household Income
7,055
Service Area Population
100%
Disadvantaged Population
80th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
78%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Raton/raton Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $52,856 and an estimated 7,055 residents across its service area. Approximately 78% 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?

Surface Water

City of Raton/raton Water Works's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Colfax 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

58 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
7 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 89% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How City of Raton/raton Water Works compares to EPA limits

Chlorite 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 1 mg/L
Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 9 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Chlorite at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1 mg/L. Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children. Consider ferrous sulfate reduction filtration.

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

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Chlorite was detected in this water system. ferrous sulfate reduction filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in New Mexico

B 11 violations
B 19 violations
Moongate Water System
9,170 people
A 1 violation
C 2 violations
Lee Hammond Water
8,817 people
0 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 $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

City of Raton/raton Water Works (EPA ID: NM3526704) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 9,733 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 87740 in Raton.

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

3 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 Health-based Unresolved
October 17, 2024 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring 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
October 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved
February 5, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Stage 1 DBP 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 9 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Chlorite Disinfection Byproducts 2 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 2 Yes
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 1 No
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No

Health Risk Details

Chlorite (EPA limit: 1 mg/L)

Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children At-risk groups: infants, developing fetuses, people with G6PD deficiency.

Removal methods: ferrous sulfate reduction, activated carbon, reverse osmosis. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
87740 0.003 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 City of Raton/raton Water Works (NM3526704) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Raton/raton Water Works water safe to drink?

City of Raton/raton Water Works has recorded 3 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 City of Raton/raton Water Works serve?

City of Raton/raton Water Works serves approximately 9,733 people across 1 ZIP code in New Mexico.

Where does City of Raton/raton Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine

Source: CITY OF RATON/RATON WATER WORKS 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 classification and chemical list sourced from CITY OF RATON/RATON WATER WORKS 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.

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.

Samples collected
116

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from City of Raton/raton Water Works safe to drink?
City of Raton/raton Water Works has a C safety grade based on 20 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in City of Raton/raton Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule, Stage 1 DBP Rule, Chlorite, Stage 2 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 City of Raton/raton Water Works serve?
City of Raton/raton Water Works serves approximately 9,733 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is City of Raton/raton Water Works's water source?
City of Raton/raton Water Works draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Raton/raton Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Raton/raton Water Works's service area?
The City of Raton/raton Water Works service area has a median household income of $52,856. EPA EJScreen data classifies 100% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does City of Raton/raton Water Works get its water?
City of Raton/raton Water Works's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. 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

City of Raton/raton Water Works (EPA ID: NM3526704) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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