Water Quality: Thoreau, NM
2 water systems • 1,504 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Thoreau is served by 2 public water systems with a combined service population of 1,504 people, and has 77 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 7 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Thoreau's violation count is 54% below the national average for New Mexico. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine, Chlorine Dioxide, Stage 2 DBP, Total Organic Carbon.
Contaminants Found
Eye and nose irritation at high levels; long-term exposure above the MCL may cause liver and kidney damage.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant added to kill harmful microorganisms
EPA limit: 4.0 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
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
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
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Thoreau
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THOREAU WATER & SANITATION DISTRICT | NM3508817 | Groundwater | 1,173 | 62 |
| BLUEWATER ACRES WUA | NM3510333 | Groundwater | 331 | 15 |
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
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.