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Peñasco, NM Tap Water Quality 2026

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

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

Main Utility: Penasco Mdwca PWSID: NM3506729 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 9.20 ppb, 61% of the action level and no violations are open. PFAS has never been sampled at this system.

D

Peñasco earns a D for water quality

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

Lead: 9.20 ppb — 61% of the federal action level
PFAS never sampled at this system
18 violations since 2015, 3 health-based
No violations currently open
Peñasco's lead level vs. all New Mexico community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 9.20 ppb — 61% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 6% of New Mexico utilities
Population Served
474
~200 connections
Water Source
Groundwater
Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Active Violations
0
18 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
61% of EPA action level
9.20 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 9.20 ppb, 61% 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 — — 2025 Unaddressed
Public Notice OTHER — — 2023 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule MONITORING AND REPORTING — TT 2022 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2022 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2021 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2020 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2018 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2018 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2018 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule OTHER — — 2016 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule MONITORING FAILURE — — 2016 Resolved
Consumer Confidence Rule OTHER — — 2015 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2015 Resolved
Groundwater Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 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

18 violations are on record since 2015, of which 3 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Penasco Mdwca
PWSID NM3506729
Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
Population served 474
Service connections 200
Systems serving this area 2
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Peñasco tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 9.20 ppb, 61% of the action level.
Does Peñasco water have PFAS? ▼
This system has never been sampled for PFAS. EPA's national monitoring covered systems serving 3,300 people or more, so no results exist — which is not evidence that none is present.
Who supplies water to Peñasco? ▼
Penasco Mdwca (PWSID NM3506729), one of 2 systems serving this area. Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2021-05-25. Inspectors recorded 3 significant deficiencies.

What Should Peñasco Residents Do?

1
Consider a filter certified for lead
Look for NSF/ANSI 53 certification for lead reduction.
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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