States ›New Mexico ›Lincoln County ›Ruidoso

Ruidoso, NM Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Ruidoso, NM — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Ruidoso's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Ruidoso Water System PWSID: NM3513114 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 4.10 ppb, 27% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

C

Ruidoso earns a C for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 4.10 ppb — 27% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
14 violations since 2015, 7 health-based
No violations currently open
Ruidoso's lead level vs. all New Mexico community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 4.10 ppb — 27% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 19% of New Mexico utilities
Population Served
7562
~7183 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Active Violations
0
14 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
27% of EPA action level
4.10 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 4.10 ppb, 27% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Public Notice OTHER — — 2021 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.258 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2021 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.259 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2020 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — TT 2020 Resolved
CARBON, TOTAL TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — TT 2020 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.259 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2020 Resolved
TTHM MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.261 MG/L 0.080 mg/L 2020 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2018 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule OTHER — — 2016 Unaddressed
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — — 2016 Resolved
Chlorine MONITORING AND REPORTING — 4.0 mg/L 2016 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

14 violations are on record since 2015, of which 7 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Ruidoso Water System
PWSID NM3513114
Water source Surface water — Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
Population served 7,562
Service connections 7,183
Systems serving this area 3
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ruidoso tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 4.10 ppb, 27% of the action level.
Does Ruidoso water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to Ruidoso? ▼
Ruidoso Water System (PWSID NM3513114), one of 3 systems serving this area. Surface water. Drawn from surface water — SDWIS source code SW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2024-10-30. Inspectors recorded 2 significant deficiencies.

What Should Ruidoso Residents Do?

1
Read your annual water report
Your supplier publishes a Consumer Confidence Report each July covering the prior year.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

Nearby Cities in New Mexico

Ruidoso Downs, Nm Tap Water Quality 2026 Lincoln Capitan, Nm Tap Water Quality 2026 Lincoln Carrizozo, Nm Tap Water Quality 2026 Lincoln Corona, Nm Tap Water Quality 2026 Lincoln Nogal, Nm Tap Water Quality 2026 Lincoln