Hardness
Very Hard
209.5 PPM · 12.3 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Chimayo, NM 87522
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Santa Fe County.
3 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Greater Chimayo Mdwca
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Santa Fe County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
3 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0023 mg/L
15% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 1,050 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
209.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
209.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
12.3
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 209.5 PPM, mineral scale can build up on fixtures and heating elements, reduce soap lather, and leave visible spotting. Hardness is primarily an aesthetic and appliance concern—not itself a tap-water safety rating.
USGS sites used
86
Nearest site
21 mi
Observation range
Jan 15, 2016–Apr 22, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 17N.09E.27.232 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 87522 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Chimayo median
210 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 209.5–209.5 PPM
New Mexico median
228 PPM
18 PPM lower194 indexed ZIP readings · Range 74.2–688.5 PPM
EPA benchmark screen
Contaminant snapshot
Available numerical results from associated SDWIS community water systems, compared with the applicable action level or federal MCL. Federal measured-value coverage is incomplete.
1 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0.0023 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2027
Copper (CU90)
1.8 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2018
Numerical coverage
2 comparable results
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.0023
EPA limit 0.015
Copper (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 1.8
EPA limit 1.3
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 19
- Health-based
- 4
- Active health-based
- 3
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3504926 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2025through Oct 31, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3502426 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 2, 2025 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3504926 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2025through Jul 9, 2025 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS | NM3502426 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Feb 13, 2026 |
| LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONSHealth-based | NM3502426 | Resolved | Oct 17, 2024through Feb 13, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3504926 | Unaddressed | Apr 19, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3504926 | Unaddressed | Apr 19, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3504926 | Unaddressed | Apr 19, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3502426 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2023through Aug 9, 2023 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3502426 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Oct 11, 2022 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3504926 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2022through Sep 26, 2022 |
| Chlorine | NM3502426 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Dec 31, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3502426 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Oct 31, 2021 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3502426 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Jul 29, 2021 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3504926 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Aug 23, 2021 |
| Public Notice | NM3502426 | Unaddressed | Aug 1, 2013 |
| Public Notice | NM3502426 | Unaddressed | Mar 31, 2011 |
| Public Notice | NM3502426 | Unaddressed | Mar 31, 2011 |
| Public Notice | NM3502426 | Unaddressed | Mar 31, 2011 |
No reported violation does not prove that every contaminant was tested or absent; SDWIS measured values are incomplete and lag state records.
Solutions matcher
Your personalized water action plan
Matched to Chimayo ZIP 87522 using 209.5 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
209.5 PPM is 2× the high-hardness trigger used by this matcher.
Designed to reduce scale on fixtures, water heaters, glassware, and plumbing throughout the home.
Compare whole-house systemsDrinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Copper (90th percentile), Groundwater Rule have a measured benchmark flag or active health-based SDWIS record in this profile.
A certified multi-stage RO system targets a broader range of dissolved contaminants at the kitchen tap.
Explore under-sink filtrationAffiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission from qualifying purchases, at no added cost to you. Product matching is educational and does not replace certified water testing.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Chimayo
Is tap water safe in Chimayo?+
EPA ECHO reports 3 active health-based violations among the associated community water systems. Review the affected utility's current notice and Consumer Confidence Report.
How hard is the water?+
Nearby USGS observations produce an estimate of 209.5 PPM, or 12.3 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 209.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.