Water Quality: Las Vegas, NM

4 water systems • 14,753 people served

Multiple Health Violations
349
Total Violations
153
Health-Based Violations
4
Water Systems
14,753
Population Served

Water Quality Summary

Las Vegas is served by 4 public water systems with a combined service population of 14,753 people, and has 349 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 153 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Las Vegas's violation count is 107% above the national average for New Mexico. Contaminants associated with violations include Bromate, Chlorine Dioxide, Contaminant 2920, E. coli, Fecal Coliform.

Contaminants Found

Bromate

Probable human carcinogen that increases the risk of kidney and thyroid cancers.

Common source: Ozonation of bromide-containing water; used as flour improver

EPA limit: 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb)

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

Contaminant 2920
E. coli

Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.

Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply

EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)

Fecal Coliform

Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.

Common source: Human and animal fecal waste

EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)

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

TTHM

Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.

Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water

EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)

Water Systems Serving Las Vegas

System Name PWSID Source Population Violations
LAS VEGAS (CITY OF) NM3518025 Surface Water 14,530 182
TECOLOTE MDWCA NM3519325 Groundwater 126 56
EL CRESTON MDWCA NM3501725 Groundwater 50 36
GABALDON MDWCA NM3500525 Groundwater 47 75

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