Hardness
Moderately Hard
95 PPM · 5.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Rio Rancho, NM 87144
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Sandoval County.
1 active health-based violation
- Primary matched system
- Rio Rancho Water & Ww Services
- Source water
- Surface water
- County
- Sandoval County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
1 active health-based record
Lead 90th percentile
0.002 mg/L
13% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 107,350 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
95 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
95
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
5.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 95 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
15
Nearest site
9.9 mi
Observation range
Jan 25, 2016–Mar 30, 2026
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: RIO GRANDE AT ALAMEDA BRIDGE AT ALAMEDA, NM (Stream).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 87144 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Rio Rancho median
95 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 95–95 PPM
New Mexico median
228 PPM
133 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 pass
Lead (PB90)
0.002 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
Numerical coverage
1 comparable result
Missing values remain blank; absence is not treated as a pass.
Lead (90th percentile)
Measured in mg/L
Local 0.002
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 2
- Health-based
- 1
- Active health-based
- 1
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3509623 | Unaddressed | Mar 23, 2026 |
| Public Notice | NM3509623 | Unaddressed | Jan 28, 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 Rio Rancho ZIP 87144 using 95 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Drinking water protection
Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis System
Groundwater Rule has 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 Rio Rancho
Is tap water safe in Rio Rancho?+
EPA ECHO reports 1 active health-based violation 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 95 PPM, or 5.6 grains per gallon, classified as moderately hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
There is no high-hardness trigger in this profile. Confirm with a tap test before buying equipment.