Albuquerque Drinking Water Quality
What's Really in Your Tap Water?
Albuquerque tap water has some quality concerns you should be aware of. With 141 ppm hardness (8.2 gpg), expect some mineral deposits over time. Lead levels test well below the EPA action level. There have been 73 violations recorded over the past 3 years.
Some Concerns
Monitor recommended
8.2 GPG hardness
Lead
Below EPA action level
EPA action level: 15 ppb
Hardness
Hard water
US Average: 100 ppm
Is Albuquerque Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Albuquerque tap water has some quality concerns but remains within acceptable limits.
9 contaminants were tested in Albuquerque's water. 7 were detected — all within EPA limits.
EPA Violations — 33 health-based EPA violations in the past 3 years across 27 water systems. Plus 40 monitoring/reporting violations.
Health-based violations mean the water exceeded a federal maximum contaminant level. This is more serious than administrative violations.
→ Consider testing your water at home and using a certified water filter until violations are resolved.
Metals — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Arsenic at 2.5 ppb (25% of EPA limit).
Disinfection Byproducts — 2 contaminants detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 38.8 ppb (49% of EPA limit).
Radioactive Contaminants — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Uranium at 2 ppb (7% of EPA limit).
Inorganic Chemicals — 1 contaminant detected, all within EPA limits. Highest: Fluoride at 0.93 ppm (23% of EPA limit).
The data below shows test results from 27 water utilities serving 629K people in the Albuquerque area.
Based on publicly available data from ABCWUA 2024 Water Quality Report - Zone CCR PDFs (2024). Water quality can vary by location, building plumbing, and over time. This assessment reflects compliance with federal EPA standards and is not medical advice.
Do I Need a Water Filter?
With hard water (141 ppm), a water softener can reduce scale buildup in pipes, appliances, and water heaters.
How Albuquerque Compares
Compared to 51 major US cities based on 2024 Consumer Confidence Report data
Lead (90th percentile)
National avg: 2.85 ppb
0 ppb
100% below average
Water Hardness
National avg: 127.2 ppm
151 ppm
19% harder than average
PFAS Contamination
Detected in 33% of major US cities
Not Detected
67% of cities are PFAS-free
How Hard is Albuquerque Water?
141 ppm
8.2 grains per gallon
Hard water can cause scale buildup in pipes and appliances. A water softener may be beneficial.
Impact on Your Home
Shower
May dry out skin & hair
Kitchen
Spots on dishes
Laundry
Clothes may feel stiff
Appliances
Scale buildup
Regional Comparison
Values in ppm (mg/L as CaCO₃)
Do I Need a Water Softener?
At 141 ppm, Albuquerque has hard water. You may notice white spots on dishes, dry skin after showering, and mineral buildup on fixtures. A water softener can help reduce these effects. Hard water is generally not a health concern according to the WHO.
Want to verify your home's exact hardness level? See our best water hardness test kits.
Range: 45–243 ppm
Based on 243 samples from ABCWUA 2024 Water Quality Report - Zone CCR PDFs (2024)
Your pipes tell a different story
The data above shows what leaves the treatment plant—not what comes out of your faucet. Old pipes, lead solder, and building plumbing can add contaminants the city never tests for. Know exactly what's in your Albuquerque tap water.
Home test kits detect lead, bacteria, pesticides, and 100+ other contaminants. Results in 5-10 business days from certified labs.
Lead & Contaminants
Understanding lead levels and water quality violations in Albuquerque
Lead Test Results
90th Percentile Lead Level
0.17 ppb
Albuquerque lead levels are well below the EPA action level.
Regular testing is still recommended, as lead can enter water through household plumbing.
Last sampled: 2027-12-31
About Lead in Drinking Water
What is Lead in Water?
According to the EPA, lead is a toxic metal that can dissolve into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. It's invisible, tasteless, and odorless, making testing the only way to detect it. The EPA has set an action level of 15 ppb and states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Potential Health Effects
According to the CDC: developmental delays, learning difficulties, lower IQ, behavioral issues
According to the EPA: high blood pressure, kidney damage, reproductive issues
How to Reduce Exposure
- •Run water for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- •Use cold water for cooking and drinking (hot water dissolves more lead)
- •Install a NSF-certified filter designed to remove lead
- •Test your water, especially if your home was built before 1986
PFAS “Forever Chemicals”
No PFAS detected in available test data
PFAS are synthetic chemicals that don't break down in the environment. No PFAS were detected in available test data.
Other Detected Contaminants
9 contaminants detected
| Contaminant | Your Water | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
38.8 ppb Range: 2.2-41 Maximum LRAA 38.8 ppb; range 2.2-41 ppb across 12 monitoring locations. | 80 ppb | Safe 49% of limit | |
16.6 ppb Range: 0-19 Maximum LRAA 16.6 ppb; range 0-19 ppb across monitoring locations. | 60 ppb | Safe 28% of limit | |
Chlorine (Disinfectant) | 0.9 ppm Range: 0.3-1.7 Distribution system avg 0.9 ppm (range 0.3-1.7). Free chlorine used. MRDL 4.0 ppm. | 4 ppm | Safe 23% of limit |
2.5 ppb Range: 0-5 System-wide avg 2.5 ppb, max 5.0 ppb. Due to erosion of natural volcanic deposits. Below MCL 10 ppb but detectable. | 10 ppb 0 | Safe 25% of limit | |
2 ppb Range: 0-6 System-wide avg 2.0 ppb, max 6 ppb (2023 monitoring). Naturally occurring from geological deposits. Well below MCL 30 ppb. | 30 ppb 0 | Safe 7% of limit | |
Lithium | 34 ppb Range: 12-71 UCMR5 2024. Range ~12-71 ppb, average ~34 ppb. No EPA MCL. Naturally occurring from groundwater. Higher levels in groundwater zones. | N/A | Safe |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND - UCMR5 2024. All 29 PFAS types non-detect. Reporting limit 1.80 ppt. | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
0 ppt Range: 0-0 ND - UCMR5 2024. All 29 PFAS types non-detect. Reporting limit 1.70 ppt. | 4 ppt 0 | Safe | |
0.93 ppm Range: 0.68-1.17 System-wide avg 0.93 ppm; max 1.17 ppm. Fluoride added for dental health; target range 0.65-0.72 mg/L. | 4 ppm | Safe 23% of limit |
MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (EPA legal limit)
EPA Compliance History
Action Recommended
Active health-based violations detectedConsider using a certified water filter until violations are resolved. Contact your utility for updates on corrective actions.
3-Year Violation Summary
73
Total Violations
33
Health-Related
40
Administrative
Health-Related Violations
Contaminant exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels. The EPA recommends considering certified filtration.
Administrative Violations
Missed testing deadlines or reporting. Does not indicate water quality issues.
Who Provides Albuquerque's Water?
Utility Name
ALBUQUERQUE WATER SYSTEM
EPA System ID (PWSID)
NM3510701
Primary Water Source
Groundwater
Population Served
629K
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Albuquerque tap water quality
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
Las Cruces
Santa Fe
Hard water
Rio Rancho
Moderate water
Roswell
Very Hard water
Farmington
Very Hard water
Clovis
Very Hard water
This data is for informational purposes only. Water quality can vary by neighborhood and building. For official reports, contact your local water utility or the EPA. Learn about our methodology
Data source: ABCWUA 2024 Water Quality Report - Zone CCR PDFs (2024) • View report