Water Quality: Carlsbad, NM

5 water systems • 39,476 people served

Multiple Health Violations
285
Total Violations
22
Health-Based Violations
5
Water Systems
39,476
Population Served

Water Quality Summary

Carlsbad is served by 5 public water systems with a combined service population of 39,476 people, and has 285 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 22 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Carlsbad's violation count is 69% above the national average for New Mexico. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, Stage 2 DBP.

Contaminants Found

Chlorine Dioxide

Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.

Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms

EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L

Stage 2 DBP

Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.

Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water

EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L

Water Systems Serving Carlsbad

System Name PWSID Source Population Violations
CARLSBAD MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM NM3520608 Groundwater 33,626 11
OTIS MDWCA NM3521308 Groundwater 4,807 141
HAPPY VALLEY COOPERATIVE WATER WORKS NM3520708 Groundwater 638 28
LINCOLN HILLS WATER CO-OP NM3502314 Groundwater 338 76
WHITES CITY WATER SYSTEM NM3521408 Groundwater 67 29

Concerned About Your Water?

A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.

Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.

Other Cities in New Mexico

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Data Sources

Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.

Verify at epa.govSearch ECHO for NM