Tap Water Quality Report

Tap water quality in Albuquerque, New Mexico

Served by Albuquerque Department of Public Works. 560,000 residents.

Average score 64/100
Utilities 1
Population 560,000
D
64/100
Below Average
ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Quick answer

Tap water in Albuquerque, New Mexico receives a grade of D (64/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by Albuquerque Department of Public Works. The most significant water quality concerns are: Arsenic significantly above health guideline; Chromium-6 detected. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database, and Albuquerque's published Consumer Confidence Report.

Data sources for this grade: utilities.csv ⓘ How did we get this rating?
Sample data notice: Some or all data on this page is illustrative sample data, not live measurements. See our disclaimer and data sources.

What's in Albuquerque's tap water

Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving Albuquerque.

Arsenic significantly above health guideline

Moderate concern

Arsenic detected at 1.4 ppb, 350x above the EWG health guideline of 0.004 ppb.

Chromium-6 detected

Moderate concern

Chromium-6 detected at 0.25 ppb.

Recommended filters for Albuquerque

Filters matched to the specific contaminants in Albuquerque's water supply.

Reverse Osmosis

$249-$750

Arsenic is most effectively removed by reverse osmosis. Some specialized adsorptive filters also work.

AquaTru Countertop Reverse Osmosis
$449-$599 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
$429-$549 NSF 42, 53, 58, 401, P473
Editorial pick · affiliate link coming soon
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO
$600-$750 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →
Waterdrop N1 Countertop RO
$249-$329 NSF 58, 372
View on retailer →

Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.

All contaminants detected in Albuquerque's tap water

Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →

Sample test dates: Water samples were collected in 2024. Test dates per contaminant are shown in the table below.

Contaminant Detected EWG
US health-based
EPA
US legal
EU DWD
Europe
WHO
global
CA PHG
strictest US
Tested
sample year
Status
Arsenic
Heavy metal
1.4 ppb 0.004 10 10 10 0.004 2022 350× over
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
41.7 ppb 0.6 80 100 2024 70× over
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
6.1 ppb 0.1 60 60 2024 61× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
3.25 mg/L 0.14 10 11.3 11.3 10 2022 23× over
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.3 ppb 0.02 0.02 2023 15× over
Contaminant Detected (2024) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
Disinfection byproduct
41.7 ppb 0.6 80 100 70× over
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Disinfection byproduct
6.1 ppb 0.1 60 60 61× over
Contaminant Detected (2023) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Chromium-6 (Hexavalent)
Heavy metal
0.3 ppb 0.02 0.02 15× over
Contaminant Detected (2022) EWG EPA EU DWD WHO CA PHG Status
Arsenic
Heavy metal
1.4 ppb 0.004 10 10 10 0.004 350× over
Nitrate
Inorganic
3.25 mg/L 0.14 10 11.3 11.3 10 23× over

All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.

Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.

Treatment plant contact info

For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from Albuquerque Department of Public Works.

Treatment Plant

FacilityAlbuquerque Water Treatment Plant
Location2127 Treatment Plant Road, Albuquerque, NM
Operator certificationClass A (State certified)
Treatment capacity112 million gallons/day

ZIP codes served

Albuquerque's public water systems serve the following ZIP codes: