States › New Mexico › Rio Arriba County

Rio Arriba County, NM Water Quality

Water quality data for 31 public water systems serving Rio Arriba County, New Mexico — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 31 water systems · 36 cities
⚠️
Caution Advised — Some Systems Need Attention

Some systems have elevated lead levels or active violations. Check your specific city below.

C

Rio Arriba County Earns a C

Rio Arriba County: 36 communities across 31 water systems. 80.6% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 1.70 ppb
  • 27 communities with a lead detection, 9 reporting none detected
  • 0 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 32 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 80.6% of communities have no open violations
1.7 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
31
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
80%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Chama
    Not detected
    7 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • La Mesilla
    1.00 ppb
    5 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Gallina
    Not detected
    15 health-based violations since 2015
    B
  • Santa Clara Pueblo
    0.50 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • Dixon
    1.50 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Lyden
    1.00 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    F
  • La Madera
    3.70 ppb
    Copper above the 1,300 ppb action level
    F
  • Velarde
    4.10 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    F
  • Truchas
    2.20 ppb
    11 violations currently open
    F
  • Los Ojos
    2.80 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    F
County Lead Level — Median 1.7 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 1.7 ppb — 11.3% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
25
5 – 10 ppb
1
10 – 15 ppb
1
No Data
9

All Cities in Rio Arriba County

Española Not detected C
Chimayo 2.30 ppb C
Dulce 2.00 ppb C
Ohkay Owingeh 0.90 ppb B
Chamita Not detected C
La Villita 0.56 ppb C
Chama Not detected B
Hernandez Not detected C
El Rito 4.10 ppb B
Los Luceros 0.56 ppb C
Santa Clara Pueblo 0.50 ppb B
San Jose Not detected C
El Duende Not detected C
Velarde 4.10 ppb F
Dixon 1.50 ppb B
Truchas 2.20 ppb F
Chili Not detected C
La Mesilla 1.00 ppb B
Alcalde 0.56 ppb C
Tierra Amarilla 2.80 ppb C
Canjilon 11.00 ppb C
Gallina Not detected B
Cordova 3.70 ppb D
Abiquiu 0.47 ppb C
Ojo Sarco 1.42 ppb C
La Madera 3.70 ppb F
Ensenada 1.10 ppb D
Coyote Not detected C
Los Ojos 2.80 ppb F
Lumberton 2.00 ppb C
Cañones 3.10 ppb C
Brazos 1.70 ppb D
Lindrith 1.20 ppb F
Lybrook 8.00 ppb C
Lyden 1.00 ppb F
Medanales 0.88 ppb C
Showing 36 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Rio Arriba County Drinking Water

Rio Arriba County is served by 31 water systems covering 36 communities. 81% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 27 recorded a detection, with a median of 1.70 ppb — 11% of the federal action level. 9 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

No community here has PFAS above the federal limit on record. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 32 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rio Arriba County tap water safe to drink?▼
81% of communities have no open violation. No community has PFAS above the federal limit on record.
What is the lead level in Rio Arriba County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 1.70 ppb, 11% of the 15 ppb action level. 9 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Rio Arriba County?▼
31 community water systems serve 36 communities here.
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