Drinking water quality · 2024
· Verified
What's in Albuquerque, NM tap water
43 contaminants were measured in the Albuquerque, NM water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 14 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 43
- Over federal limit
- 14
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- TTHM
- Service area
- NM
- TTHMDisinfection byproducts · Running annual avg38.8limit 0.5 · 77.6× the limit
- TurbidityPhysical & aggregate · Maximum0.13limit 0.002 · 65.0× the limit
- HAA5Disinfection byproducts · Running annual avg16.6limit 0.48 · 34.6× the limit
- CopperMetals · 90th percentile0.28limit 0.01 · 28.0× the limit
- Combined RadiumRadionuclides · Average0.13limit 0.01 · 13.0× the limit
- FluorideInorganic chemicals · Average0.93limit 0.1 · 9.3× the limit
- ChlorineDisinfectants · Average0.9limit 0.1 · 9.0× the limit
- NitrateInorganic chemicals · Average0.38limit 0.05 · 7.6× the limit
- BariumMetals · Average0.059limit 0.01 · 5.9× the limit
- LithiumMetals · Average34limit 10 · 3.4× the limit
- ArsenicMetals · Average2.5limit 1 · 2.5× the limit
- UraniumRadionuclides · Average2limit 1 · 2.0× the limit
- TOCPhysical & aggregate · Average1.1limit 1 · 1.1× the limit
- Gross AlphaRadionuclides · Average0.7limit 0.7 · 1.0× the limit
PFAS — EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025)
1 PFAS compound detected in Albuquerque, NM
The EPA finalized the first-ever federal drinking-water limits for six PFAS compounds in April 2024. These numbers come straight from EPA's UCMR5 lab dataset — every U.S. system serving more than 3,300 people tested every PFAS sample at an entry point to its distribution system. PFAS not listed below were either tested and not detected, or not yet sampled.
Lithium
● Detected (no federal limit)near national p90 (76.59999999999991 mg/L across detecting U.S. systems)
Where your water comes from · EPA SDWIS
Albuquerque, NM's drinking water comes from ground water, drawn from 66 sources.
Source
- VOL ANDIA · 6
- RIDGECREST · 5
- THOMAS · 5
- CHARLES WELLS · 5
- + 19 more
Treatment
- BCIP TREATMENT PLANT
- GRIEGOS # 1 TREATMENT UNIT
- GONZALES # 1 TREATMENT UNIT
- + 29 more
Distribution
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 38.8Running annual avgSystem-wide | 0.5MCL | At or above the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 16.6Running annual avgSystem-wide | 0.48MCL | At or above the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 0.9AverageSan Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant | 1MCL | Approaching the limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.13MaximumSystem-wide | 0.002MCL | At or above the limit |
| TOCTotal organic carbon — a measure of organic material dissolved in the water. | 1.1AverageSan Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.2890th percentileAt the tap | 0.01MCL | At or above the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.059AverageSan Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant | 0.01MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant, System-wide
| |||
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 2.5AverageSystem-wide | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— System-wide, San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant
| |||
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 1.390th percentileAt the tap | 15Action level | Within the limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0.13AverageSystem-wide | 0.01MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— System-wide, San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant
| |||
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 2AverageSystem-wide | 1MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— System-wide, San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant
| |||
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0.7AverageSystem-wide | 0.7MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— System-wide, San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.93AverageSystem-wide | 0.1MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— System-wide, San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant
| |||
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.38AverageSystem-wide | 0.05MCL | At or above the limit |
+By source (2)— System-wide, San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant
| |||
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 0.9AverageSystem-wide | 0.1MCL | At or above the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cryptosporidium | 0.004AverageSan Juan-Chama Drinking Water Plant | 1MCL | Within the limit |
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0MaximumSystem-wide | 0MCLG | None detected |
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)11-chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
| 4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)ADONA, a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
| 9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)9-chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanonane-1-sulfonic acid, a chlorinated PFAS compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
| Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acidHFPO-DA ('GenX chemicals'), a newer-generation PFAS replacement compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acidNonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid, a PFAS-related compound. | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.6MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)Perfluorodecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)Perfluorododecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorononanoic acidPerfluorononanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA)Perfluorotetradecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)Perfluorotridecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedRangeSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)Perfluoroundecanoic acid, a longer-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.8MCL | None detected |
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | Not detectedAverageSystem-wide | 1.7MCL | None detected |
People also ask about Albuquerque, NM's water
+Is Albuquerque, NM tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Albuquerque, NM water utility lists 14 contaminants at or above the federal limit: TTHM, Turbidity, HAA5, Copper, Combined Radium, Fluoride, Chlorine, Nitrate, Barium, Lithium, Arsenic, Uranium, TOC, and Gross Alpha. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Albuquerque, NM tap water?
43 contaminants were measured in Albuquerque, NM's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and disinfection byproducts. 43 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Albuquerque, NM tap water?
14 contaminants in Albuquerque, NM's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: TTHM (77.6× the limit); Turbidity (65.0× the limit); HAA5 (34.6× the limit); Copper (28.0× the limit); Combined Radium (13.0× the limit); Fluoride (9.3× the limit); Chlorine (9.0× the limit); Nitrate (7.6× the limit); Barium (5.9× the limit); Lithium (3.4× the limit); Arsenic (2.5× the limit); Uranium (2.0× the limit); TOC (1.1× the limit); Gross Alpha (1.0× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Albuquerque, NM tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is TTHM, at 77.6× the federal threshold. It belongs to the disinfection byproducts family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Albuquerque, NM tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: Bromate. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Albuquerque, NM's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Albuquerque, NM's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.