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Española, NM Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Espanola Water System PWSID: NM3501921 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead was not detected and no violations are open. PFAS was sampled but not enough times for a compliance determination.

C

Española earns a C for water quality

Graded on violations and lead, with state inspection findings. PFAS not tested.

Lead: not detected
PFAS sampled, too few results to judge
37 violations since 2015, 9 health-based
No violations currently open
Española's lead level vs. all New Mexico community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: Not detected — 0% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than % of New Mexico utilities
Population Served
10306
~3930 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
37 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
0% of EPA action level
Not detected
Action level: 15 ppb
Lead was not detected at the 90th percentile — the result fell below the laboratory detection limit. That is not the same as an absence of lead in every tap, and older homes with lead service lines can still show higher readings.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2024 Resolved
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS REPORTING FAILURE — — 2024 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2024 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2019 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2019 Resolved
Nitrate-Nitrite MCL EXCEEDANCE 11 MG/L — 2018 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2018 Resolved
Arsenic MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.011 MG/L 0.010 mg/L 2018 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2018 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2018 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Unaddressed
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2016 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2016 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2016 Resolved
Arsenic MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.011 MG/L 0.010 mg/L 2016 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2016 Resolved
Arsenic MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.013 MG/L 0.010 mg/L 2016 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2015–2016 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2015–2016 Resolved
Arsenic MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.015 MG/L 0.010 mg/L 2015 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Arsenic MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.012 MG/L 0.010 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2015 Resolved
TTHM MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.080 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MONITORING AND REPORTING — 0.060 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2015 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

37 violations are on record since 2015, of which 9 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Espanola Water System
PWSID NM3501921
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 10,306
Service connections 3,930
Systems serving this area 6
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Española tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open.
Does Española water have PFAS? ▼
It was sampled, but no sampling point had enough results for a compliance determination.
Who supplies water to Española? ▼
Espanola Water System (PWSID NM3501921), one of 6 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2023-03-15. Inspectors recorded 3 significant deficiencies.

What Should Española 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.

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