Is Las Cruces, NM tap water safe?

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

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

18 public water systems serve parts of Las Cruces. The largest, Las Cruces Municipal Water System, serves 98,175 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Las Cruces Municipal Water System

98,175 people · Groundwater · EPA ID NM3511707

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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: 2 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: 3

Full Las Cruces Municipal Water System results

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.

Las Cruces homes and lead pipes

34%

of homes built before 1980 (New Mexico 43%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (New Mexico 8%)

44%

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. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

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

Other water systems serving Las Cruces

New Mexico State University Water System
24,000 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Lithium above screening level
University Estates Water System (LCU)
5,292 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Lithium above screening level
Hacienda Acres Water System (LCU)
3,042 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016
Las Alturas Estates (LCU)
936 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
San Andres Estates Water System (LCU)
747 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
San Pablo MDWCA
548 people · Purchased groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

11 more systems

Villa del Sol Mobile Home Park Water System
542 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 13 health-based violations since 2016
St Johns MHP
431 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Uranium violation
Alameda Acres MHP
291 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016
Country Mobile Manor Water System
202 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 5 health-based violations since 2016
Talavera MDWCA
166 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016
Las Cruces Mobile Home Park Water System
158 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Winterhaven Mdwc and SWA
147 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Vista Real MHP
124 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016
Covered Wagon Mobile Home Manor Water System
99 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 3 health-based violations since 2016
Cercado Courts Water System
96 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 4 health-based violations since 2016
Madrid MHP
65 people · Groundwater · New Mexico · lists this city
Coliform bacteria violations

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Alamogordo 62 mi Alamogordo Domestic Water System	Alamogordo Domestic Water System	None above limits	2 ppb
Carlsbad 149 mi Carlsbad Municipal Water System	Carlsbad Municipal Water System	None above limits	0.73 ppb
Roswell 150 mi Roswell Municipal Water System	Roswell Municipal Water System	None above limits	0 ppb
Albuquerque 192 mi Albuquerque Water System	Albuquerque Water System	None above limits	0 ppb
Rio Rancho 204 mi Rio Rancho Water & Water Works Services	Rio Rancho Water & Water Works Services	None above limits	2 ppb
Hobbs 213 mi Hobbs Municipal Water Supply	Hobbs Municipal Water Supply	None above limits	0.6 ppb

Las Cruces ZIP codes (1)

88001

Questions

Is Las Cruces tap water safe to drink?

Las Cruces Municipal Water System had 3 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 Las Cruces, NM?

18 public water systems serve parts of Las Cruces. The largest is Las Cruces Municipal Water System (98,175 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Las Cruces tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Las Cruces 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 Las Cruces homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 34% of Las Cruces 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. Las Cruces 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.