Albuquerque – New Mexico -Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Albuquerque’s Water Utility Authority manages a complex water system serving over 690,000 residents across the greater Albuquerque metropolitan area. Established in 2003 as an independent utility, the system includes approximately 3,100 miles of water mains, 92 reservoirs and pumping stations, and advanced treatment facilities, delivering roughly 30 billion gallons annually to New Mexico’s largest city.
Albuquerque draws its drinking water from two primary sources: the San Juan-Chama Project, which diverts water from the Colorado River Basin to the Rio Grande watershed, and a system of deep aquifer wells that tap the underlying Middle Rio Grande Basin aquifer. The utility has transitioned from nearly complete groundwater dependence to a sustainable mix of surface water and aquifer sources. Albuquerque’s water meets all federal and state standards, though the desert city faces ongoing challenges with water conservation, drought resilience, and emerging contaminants. The utility has implemented significant investments in infrastructure modernization, conservation programs, and aquifer protection to ensure sustainable water supply for future generations.
Albuquerque Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Arsenic Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed average arsenic levels of 4.1 parts per billion (ppb), well below the EPA maximum contaminant level of 10 ppb, reflecting the effectiveness of treatment processes.
- Lead Levels: Testing shows a 90th percentile lead level of 2.1 ppb, well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, indicating minimal lead concerns in the distribution system.
- Testing Scope: Albuquerque conducts over 85,000 water quality tests annually across the system, including comprehensive monitoring at treatment facilities and throughout the distribution network.
- Compliance Status: Albuquerque’s water meets all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and New Mexico Environment Department regulations.
Diverse Water Sources
- San Juan-Chama Surface Water: Primary source (approximately 60% of supply) provided by the San Juan-Chama Project, which diverts water from Colorado River tributaries to the Rio Grande watershed.
- Groundwater Wells: Secondary source (approximately 40% of supply) drawn from deep aquifer wells that tap the Middle Rio Grande Basin aquifer, providing drought resilience.
- Watershed Protection: Comprehensive source water protection program for both the upper Rio Grande watershed and aquifer recharge zones, including land management practices and pollution prevention initiatives.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- State-of-the-Art Plant: The San Juan-Chama Drinking Water Treatment Plant utilizes multiple treatment processes including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, granular media filtration, and disinfection.
- Arsenic Removal Systems: Specialized treatment processes at groundwater facilities remove naturally occurring arsenic from deep aquifer sources to levels well below federal standards.
- Disinfection Management: Carefully balanced chlorination provides effective pathogen control while minimizing disinfection byproducts, with continuous monitoring throughout the system.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Pipeline Replacement: Annual replacement of aging water mains, prioritizing areas with high leak rates and oldest infrastructure, with approximately 30 miles replaced each year.
- Water Reuse Initiatives: Implementation of advanced water recycling projects for non-potable uses, reducing demands on drinking water supplies and enhancing system sustainability.
- Smart Water Management: Advanced metering infrastructure and real-time system monitoring to improve efficiency, reduce water loss, and enhance water quality management across the distribution network.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Albuquerque provides extensive customer support including rebate programs for water-efficient fixtures, comprehensive water conservation education, and payment assistance for qualified residents. The Water Authority’s Customer Assistance Program offers discounts for low-income customers, while educational outreach helps residents understand water quality and conservation in the desert environment. Albuquerque’s commitment to environmental justice includes prioritizing infrastructure improvements across all communities while maintaining transparent communication about water quality and system maintenance. The utility’s transition from groundwater dependency to a sustainable mix of surface and groundwater sources represents a model for responsible water management in arid urban environments.
Recommendations for Albuquerque Residents
Test Your Water
Request water quality testing by calling 505-842-WATR or visiting abcwua.org/water-quality. Testing is recommended for homes with older plumbing or those using private wells near the municipal system.
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 Home Filtration
While Albuquerque’s water meets all standards, homes with older plumbing may benefit from NSF-certified filters (Standard 53) for drinking and cooking water, especially in areas with harder water.
Follow Watering Guidelines
Adhere to the seasonal irrigation schedule to conserve water. During summer (May 1-September 30), 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) immediately for water main breaks, pressure problems, or quality concerns. For after-hours emergencies, call the 24-hour emergency line at the same number.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albuquerque’s tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Albuquerque’s tap water meets all federal and state drinking water standards. The city’s water comes from a combination of surface water from the San Juan-Chama Project and deep aquifer wells, both of which undergo comprehensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.
The Water Authority conducts over 85,000 tests annually to ensure water quality. Naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater is reduced to levels well below EPA standards through specialized treatment processes. Albuquerque’s water hardness varies by neighborhood, with areas receiving more groundwater typically having harder water, which is safe but may leave mineral deposits.
Why does my water sometimes look cloudy?
Cloudy or milky-looking water is typically caused by tiny air bubbles in the water, which is completely harmless. To check if air is the cause:
1. Fill a clear glass with water and let it stand for a few minutes
2. Watch as the cloudiness clears from bottom to top
3. If the water clears completely, the cloudiness was just air bubbles
Air can enter the water system during repairs or changes in water pressure. If the cloudiness doesn’t clear or if you notice discoloration, contact the Water Authority at 505-842-WATR (9287) for assistance.
Why has Albuquerque shifted from groundwater to surface water?
Albuquerque’s transition from groundwater to a mixed source system was implemented for several crucial reasons:
• Aquifer preservation: Historical groundwater pumping exceeded natural recharge rates, causing aquifer depletion and land subsidence
• Sustainable management: Using renewable surface water allows the aquifer to recover and serves as a drought reserve
• Water rights utilization: The San Juan-Chama Project provides Albuquerque with an allocated share of Colorado River water
• Long-term supply security: Diversified sources create a more resilient system for future generations
Since implementing this strategy, groundwater levels have begun to recover in many parts of the aquifer, with levels rising approximately 30 feet since 2008 due to reduced pumping, demonstrating the success of this approach.
Are there water restrictions in Albuquerque?
Albuquerque maintains year-round water conservation measures due to its desert environment:
Permanent Restrictions:
• Outdoor sprinkler use only between 7 p.m. and 11 a.m. (May 1-September 30)
• Even-numbered addresses water on even days, odd-numbered on odd days
• No water waste (runoff onto streets, sidewalks)
• No washing hard surfaces with hosing
Drought Response:
During severe drought conditions, additional restrictions may include:
• Further limits on outdoor watering days/times
• Restrictions on new landscape installation
• Increased enforcement of water waste regulations
Current status and restrictions are available at abcwua.org or by calling 505-842-WATR.
Contaminants of Concern
Arsenic
Source: Naturally occurring in deep aquifer formations of the Middle Rio Grande Basin; more prevalent in groundwater than surface water sources
Health Effects: Long-term exposure to elevated levels may increase risk of skin lesions, cardiovascular disease, and some cancers
Current Levels: Average of 4.1 ppb, well below EPA maximum contaminant level EPA Limit: Maximum contaminant level 10 ppb
Water Hardness
Source: Dissolved calcium and magnesium minerals naturally present in groundwater sources; varies by neighborhood depending on water source mix
Effects: Not a health concern but can cause mineral buildup in plumbing, reduced effectiveness of soaps, and spotting on glassware
Current Status: Moderate to hard water (120-200 mg/L as calcium carbonate) in areas receiving more groundwater; softer water in areas receiving more surface water
PFAS Monitoring
Status: Albuquerque Water Authority actively monitors for PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) with current testing showing non-detectable levels in the drinking water supply
Source: PFAS can enter water systems through industrial discharges, firefighting foam, and consumer products, though none have been detected in Albuquerque’s water
Health Effects: Exposure to high levels may affect immune system, increase cholesterol levels, and potentially increase risk of certain cancers
Current Status: Non-detectable in all monitoring locations; continued surveillance as EPA develops regulatory standards
Lead
Source: Not present in source water but can enter drinking water through corrosion of household plumbing systems, especially in homes built before 1986
Health Effects: Can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and children; affects physical and mental development
Current Levels: Testing shows 90th percentile lead level of 2.1 ppb, well below the EPA action level EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb
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.
Clean Air and Water is not liable for any unintentional errors, omissions, or outdated information. The content on this site is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice.
