Fort Sumner Municipal Water System
EPA ID: NM3527706 · 1,789 people served · 2 ZIP codes
Although 9 violations appeared on Fort Sumner Municipal Water System's record, all have been remedied — currently compliant, 1,789 served.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Fort Sumner Municipal Water System Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Fort Sumner Municipal Water System serves a community with a median household income of $37,361 and an estimated 1,518 residents across its service area. Approximately 87% 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?
Fort Sumner Municipal 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 2% of homes in De Baca 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
Detected Contaminants
How Fort Sumner Municipal Water System compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 1 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
Fort Sumner Municipal Water System (EPA ID: NM3527706) is a community water system in New Mexico that serves approximately 1,789 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: B (79/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 23, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| May 9, 2023 | Total Coliform | 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 | 4 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 4 | No |
| Total Coliform | 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 88119 | 0.001 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
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Fort Sumner Municipal Water System (NM3527706) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fort Sumner Municipal Water System water safe to drink?
Fort Sumner Municipal Water System has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Fort Sumner Municipal Water System serve?
Fort Sumner Municipal Water System serves approximately 1,789 people across 2 ZIP codes in New Mexico.
Where does Fort Sumner Municipal 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: FORT SUMNER MUNICIPAL 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.
Treatment regime
How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.
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.
Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from FORT SUMNER MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM 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).
-
MCL · Combined Radium 226/2282023-04-18
Combined Radium 226/228 (5.62 pCi/L) exceeded MCL (5 pCi/L).
-
MCL · Gross alpha excluding radon and uranium2023-04-18
Gross alpha excluding radon and uranium (19 pCi/L) exceeded MCL (15 pCi/L).
Violations record from FORT SUMNER MUNICIPAL 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.
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
Fort Sumner Municipal Water System (EPA ID: NM3527706) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.