Albuquerque Water Quality at a Glance
Last updated: January 19, 2026 (based on the ABCWUA 2024 Water Quality Report published April 2025)
some concerns
Is Albuquerque Water Safe to Drink?
Generally yes (meets federal and state standards) — Albuquerque’s municipal water meets EPA and New Mexico drinking water standards based on compliance monitoring. Like most utilities, the system still tracks common “desert-city” issues such as naturally occurring arsenic and treatment-related disinfection byproducts (TTHMs/HAA5). If you have older plumbing, lead can also show up from household fixtures or pipes.
⚠️ Key Monitoring Topics for Albuquerque Residents
- Arsenic (natural): System-wide average 2.5 ppb; max detected 5.0 ppb (EPA MCL 10 ppb).
- Disinfection byproducts: TTHMs and HAA5 are present as expected with chlorination; reported levels remain under EPA limits (MCLs 80 and 60 ppb).
- Lead risk (home plumbing): Lead is typically a “household plumbing” issue; the 2024 lead 90th percentile was 0 ppb in the compliance table, with a maximum detected of 3 ppb in that dataset.
- Nitrate, uranium, radium: Detected at low levels in the 2024 report and remain under federal limits (monitoring remains important in arid groundwater regions).
- PFAS (rule changes nationwide): ABCWUA began PFAS testing under EPA’s UCMR cycle in June 2024; results are typically posted as they become available.
Read the full report below for detailed analysis, treatment plant information, and water filtration recommendations for Albuquerque residents.
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Albuquerque – New Mexico – Water Quality Report 2024 (Published 2025): Sources, Testing & What Residents Should Know
The Albuquerque Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA) serves over 600,000 residents across the greater Albuquerque area. The system includes thousands of miles of water mains, multiple storage and pumping facilities, and modern treatment operations.
Albuquerque’s drinking water supply is a blend of imported surface water and local groundwater. The utility has transitioned away from near-total groundwater dependence toward a mixed supply that helps protect the aquifer and improve long-term reliability in a desert climate.
Based on ABCWUA’s published 2024 Water Quality Report, the system meets federal and state standards. The main “watch items” for many households are naturally occurring arsenic (tracked closely but under the EPA limit), treatment-related disinfection byproducts (TTHMs/HAA5), and possible lead exposure from older household plumbing materials.
Albuquerque Water Quality: Current Status (CCR 2024)
Latest Testing Results (from ABCWUA’s 2024 Water Quality Report)
- Arsenic: System-wide average 2.5 ppb; maximum detected 5.0 ppb (EPA MCL 10 ppb).
- Disinfection byproducts: Reported maximum LRAA values include TTHM 38.8 ppb (MCL 80) and HAA5 16.6 ppb (MCL 60).
- Lead & copper (household plumbing): 2024 compliance table shows a lead 90th percentile of 0 ppb, with a maximum detected value of 3 ppb in that dataset (EPA action level is 15 ppb and triggers additional steps).
- Nitrate: Maximum detected 3.07 ppm (MCL 10 ppm).
- Uranium / radium: Uranium max 6 ppb (MCL 30); radium (226+228) max 0.50 pCi/L (MCL 5).
- Testing scope: ABCWUA reports collecting and testing 5,500+ samples annually across the system.
- Compliance status: Meets federal and state drinking water standards based on published compliance monitoring.
Diverse Water Sources
- Surface water + groundwater blend: Albuquerque uses imported surface water and local groundwater wells, blended for distribution.
- Groundwater wells: Wells support reliability and drought resilience; some wells use additional processes such as arsenic removal and disinfection as needed.
- Source water planning: ABCWUA references conservation, storage/recharge, reuse, and optimal use of surface water as part of long-term planning.
Treatment and Monitoring
- Surface-water treatment: The San Juan-Chama surface-water treatment plant uses multiple treatment steps followed by disinfection to ensure pathogen control.
- Arsenic management: Some groundwater sources can require arsenic treatment; overall system levels reported in 2024 remain under the EPA MCL.
- Disinfection management: Chlorine helps prevent microbial risks but can create byproducts (TTHMs/HAA5), which are monitored and regulated.
- PFAS monitoring: ABCWUA states the system began PFAS testing under the current EPA UCMR cycle in June 2024.
Infrastructure & Customer Support
Like all large systems, Albuquerque’s distribution network requires ongoing maintenance and upgrades. If your home has older plumbing, your “at-the-tap” results can differ from system averages. For households that want extra peace of mind, targeted point-of-use filtration for drinking and cooking can reduce a range of contaminants, depending on the device and certification.
Recommendations for Albuquerque Residents
Test Your Tap (Especially if Your Home is Older)
For official water quality information, contact ABCWUA at 505-842-WATR (9287) or visit abcwua.org/water-quality. If you have older plumbing or fixtures, consider an independent lead test at the tap, since household plumbing can be a main source of lead in drinking water.
Conserve Water
Apply for rebates through the Water Authority’s Conservation Program for xeriscaping, efficient appliances, and irrigation upgrades. Call (505) 842-9287 or visit abcwua.org/conservation to learn about available incentives.
Consider Point-of-Use Filtration (Optional Peace of Mind)
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For drinking and cooking water, many households choose a certified reverse osmosis (RO) system for broad reduction (look for NSF/ANSI 58 for RO performance, and other NSF standards depending on the contaminant). If you want one simple “covers a lot” option, you can view this RO system here: Waterdrop Reverse Osmosis system.
Follow Watering Guidelines
Adhere to the seasonal irrigation schedule to conserve water. During summer restrictions (April 1-October 31), water only before 11 a.m. or after 7 p.m. to reduce evaporation. Even-numbered addresses water on even-numbered days, odd-numbered addresses on odd-numbered days.
Report Issues
Contact 505-842-WATR (9287) for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. For after-hours emergencies, call the same number.
Quality News About Your Water
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque’s tap water safe to drink?
ABCWUA’s published 2024 Water Quality Report indicates the system meets federal and state drinking water standards. The city uses a blend of surface water and groundwater, with treatment and monitoring designed to control microbes and regulated contaminants.
No municipal water is completely “zero contaminant,” so the best approach is: (1) rely on the official report for system-wide compliance, and (2) test your own tap if you have older plumbing or want a home-specific result (especially for lead).
Why does my water sometimes look cloudy?
Cloudy or milky-looking water is often tiny air bubbles and is usually harmless. To check:
1. Fill a clear glass with water and let it sit for a few minutes
2. If it clears from bottom to top, it’s likely air
If cloudiness does not clear, or you see discoloration or particles, contact ABCWUA at 505-842-WATR (9287).
Why use a blend of surface water and groundwater?
Using a blend helps protect the aquifer while keeping the system resilient. Groundwater can act as a drought reserve, while surface water helps reduce long-term stress on underground supplies.
Are there water restrictions in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque maintains year-round conservation measures due to its desert environment. Current watering rules and drought updates are available at abcwua.org or by calling 505-842-WATR.
Contaminants of Concern (What Shows Up in Official Results)
Arsenic
Source: Naturally occurring minerals in regional geology (more common in groundwater than surface water).
What the rule says: EPA MCL is 10 ppb.
2024 reported level: System-wide average 2.5 ppb; maximum detected 5.0 ppb (under the MCL).
Disinfection Byproducts (TTHMs & HAA5)
Source: Form when disinfectants (like chlorine) react with natural organic matter during treatment.
2024 reported levels: TTHM max LRAA 38.8 ppb (MCL 80). HAA5 max LRAA 16.6 ppb (MCL 60).
Why it matters: These are regulated long-term exposure contaminants; keeping levels low while still disinfecting is a normal balancing act for utilities.
Lead (At-the-Tap Risk)
Source: Primarily from corrosion of household plumbing materials and fixtures.
What the rule says: EPA action level is 15 ppb (triggers additional requirements and treatment steps).
2024 compliance table: Lead 90th percentile 0 ppb; maximum detected 3 ppb in that dataset. If your water sits in pipes for hours, flushing 30 seconds to 2 minutes can reduce potential exposure.
PFAS Monitoring (Testing Under EPA UCMR)
Status: ABCWUA reports the system began PFAS testing in June 2024 as part of the current EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule cycle.
What to watch: PFAS rules have changed nationally in recent years. Utilities typically post updates and results as monitoring progresses.
Nitrate, Uranium & Radium (Groundwater-Linked)
Source: Nitrate can come from fertilizer runoff or septic impacts; uranium and radium occur naturally in some rock formations.
2024 report highlights: Nitrate max 3.07 ppm (MCL 10). Uranium max 6 ppb (MCL 30). Radium (226+228) max 0.50 pCi/L (MCL 5).
Bottom line: These are monitored and remain under EPA limits in the published results, but they’re still worth tracking in arid groundwater regions.
Please read – our information
The information presented on cleanairandwater.net is compiled from official water quality reports, trusted news sources, government websites, and public health resources. While we strive for accuracy and thoroughness in our presentations, we are not scientists, engineers, or qualified water quality professionals.
Our mission is to present water quality information in an accessible, real-world format that helps people understand what’s in their water and make informed decisions about their health and safety. We believe that complex environmental information should be available to everyone in a format that’s easy to understand.
We make every effort to ensure our content is current and accurate, but we cannot guarantee that all information is complete or error-free. This website should not replace official communications from your local water utility or health department. We always recommend consulting official sources for the most up-to-date information regarding your specific water system.
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Sources & Notes
- ABCWUA 2024 Water Quality Report (PDF, published April 2025)
- ABCWUA Water Quality Report hub (official site)
- EPA drinking water regulations (MCLs, MRDLs, and contaminant info)
- EPA lead in drinking water guidance
- New Mexico Environment Department — Drinking Water Bureau
Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes and is not medical advice. System-wide compliance results may not reflect your individual home’s plumbing. For home-specific answers (especially lead), consider an at-the-tap test.