Tap Water Results

Is Carlsbad, NM tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Carlsbad Municipal Water System.

4 public water systems serve parts of Carlsbad. The largest, Carlsbad Municipal Water System, serves 33,626 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Carlsbad Municipal Water System

33,626 people · Groundwater · EPA ID NM3520608

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 0.73 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across New Mexico, 1 of 77 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 14 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. New Mexico results.

Carlsbad homes and lead pipes

59%
of homes built before 1980 (New Mexico 43%, US 50%)
12%
built before 1950 (New Mexico 8%)
30%
of households rent (New Mexico 30%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Carlsbad city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Carlsbad

  • Otis MDWCA
    4,464 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
    Lithium above screening levelAlso: 8 health-based violations since 2016
  • Happy Valley Cooperative Water Works
    638 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 1 health-based violation since 2016
  • Intrepid Potash West Water System
    71 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 13 health-based violations since 2016

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Hobbs 67 mi
Hobbs Municipal Water Supply
Hobbs Municipal Water SupplyNone above limits0.6 ppb
Roswell 69 mi
Roswell Municipal Water System
Roswell Municipal Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Alamogordo 106 mi
Alamogordo Domestic Water System
Alamogordo Domestic Water SystemNone above limits2 ppb
Las Cruces 149 mi
Las Cruces Municipal Water System
Las Cruces Municipal Water SystemNone above limits2 ppb
Clovis 153 mi
EPCOR Water New Mexico Inc Clovis
EPCOR Water New Mexico Inc ClovisNone above limits1 ppb
Albuquerque 233 mi
Albuquerque Water System
Albuquerque Water SystemNone above limits0 ppb
Carlsbad ZIP codes (1)
  • 88220

Questions

Is Carlsbad tap water safe to drink?

Carlsbad Municipal Water System has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Carlsbad, NM?

4 public water systems serve parts of Carlsbad. The largest is Carlsbad Municipal Water System (33,626 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Carlsbad tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Carlsbad Municipal Water System had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Carlsbad homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 59% of Carlsbad homes as built before 1980 (New Mexico: 43%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Carlsbad Municipal Water System's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.