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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 87010 Water Quality & Testing Report

Cerrillos, NM ยท Santa Fe County County ยท Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 87010 (Cerrillos, NM)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 87010 (Cerrillos, NM) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (47/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 11.0 ppb lead. While treated by Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor โ€” Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

13

Lead Risk

High

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 87010

Tap water in ZIP code 87010 (Cerrillos, NM) is distributed by Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District (EPA ID: NM3537326), serving approximately 7,082 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 47/100.

Water System

Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District

EPA ID: NM3537326

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

7,082 residents

County

Santa Fe County County, New Mexico

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Lead Levels in ZIP 87010

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 11.0 ppb โ€” Moderate

The 90th percentile lead level in 87010 is 11.0 ppb. This is below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, but above ideal health goals. Consider a certified lead-reducing filter.

Lead exposure risk in 87010 is rated High. EPA models estimate a 64% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
11.00 ppb (0.011 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
High
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

64%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring โ€” meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
๐Ÿชจ

Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard11.3 GPG ยท 193 mg/L

Water in ZIP 87010 is Very Hard (193 mg/L / 11.3 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

11.3 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

193 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District ยท PWSID: NM3537326

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years โ€” EPA SDWIS data

Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District has recorded 13 violations, but none are health-based (e.g., administrative or monitoring infractions). 1 violation remains unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
13
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
1
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
High

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated High based on past reporting and enforcement records.

โš—๏ธ

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 87010 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

โš– Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
๐ŸŒŠ

Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Annual Flood Risk Cost

Estimated annual flood-related costs per property

$1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy โ€” indicator of older infrastructure

2.96%

EPA Radon Zone 1 โ€” highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 87010

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 87010 served by Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • โ€ขTest for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • โ€ขTest for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • โ€ขSend samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by New Mexico Environment Department.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in NM for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

๐Ÿ›ก What Should You Do? โ€” ZIP 87010 Recommendations

  • ๐Ÿšจ Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • ๐Ÿšจ Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • ๐Ÿšจ Contact Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • ๐Ÿšจ Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • ๐Ÿšจ Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
๐Ÿบ

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide โ†’
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
โš—๏ธ

NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide โ†’

Frequently Asked Questions โ€” ZIP 87010 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 87010?+
Tap water in 87010 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 87010 (Cerrillos, NM)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 87010, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in NM. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact New Mexico Environment Department for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 87010?+
Tap water in 87010 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 193 mg/L (11.3 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 87010?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 87010 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 87010 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 87010 is 11.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 87010?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 87010. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 87010?+
Tap water in ZIP code 87010 is provided by Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District (EPA ID: NM3537326), serving approximately 7,082 residents.
What water filter should I use in 87010?+
Based on water metrics for 87010, we recommend Lead & Microplastic Filter. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Lead Reduction), NSF/ANSI 42 (Particulate/Taste).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 87010 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Eldorado Area Water and Sanitation District. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data โ†’