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City water profile

Chama water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Chama, New Mexico.

Median indexed hardness

126PPM

One indexed ZIP

Range 125.5–125.5 PPM

State comparison
102 PPM below
State hardness rank
#147 of 160
Matched utilities
2
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Chama has 1 published ZIP profile across Rio Arriba County. The indexed median is 126 PPM, compared with 228 PPM across New Mexico.

Among the 160 New Mexicocities with an indexed median, Chama ranks #147from highest to lowest. Across all 195 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 74.2to 688.5 PPM.

Because only one ZIP is represented, the city median and range are the same local estimate. It should not be read as multiple independent samples across the community. At least one estimate is marked low confidence, so observation distance and date deserve extra attention.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard1 ZIP
Very hard0 ZIPs

1 of 1 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
45.6 miles
Profiles with evidence
1/1

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 0Low: 1

Observation window: Feb 16, 2016 to May 15, 2026.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Chama

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

87520

Hard

125.5 PPM

Nearest site
45.6 mi
Confidence
Low

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Chama Water System

PWSID NM3501021

Surface water
System population served
1,573
Last reported
Jun 16, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Chama West Water Users Association

PWSID NM3503821

Groundwater
System population served
90
Last reported
Jun 16, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
Lead and Copper RuleNM3501021Oct 1, 2025Unaddressed
Lead and Copper RuleNM3503821Oct 1, 2024Unaddressed
Public NoticeNM3501021Sep 27, 2024Unaddressed
Public NoticeNM3501021Jul 19, 2024Unaddressed
Public NoticeNM3501021Apr 13, 2024Resolved
Consumer Confidence RuleNM3501021Oct 1, 2023Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleNM3501021Aug 31, 2023Addressed
Public NoticeNM3501021Aug 19, 2023Addressed
Public NoticeNM3503821Aug 12, 2023Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment RuleNM3501021Jul 2, 2023Addressed

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Chama

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 126 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.