Hardness
Very Hard
318 PPM · 18.6 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Tatum, NM 88267
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Lea County.
2 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Tatum Municipal Water System
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Lea County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
2 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0011 mg/L
7% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 948 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
318 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
318
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
18.6
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 318 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
66
Nearest site
4.4 mi
Observation range
May 23, 2016–Sep 4, 2024
Estimate confidence
Moderate
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 12S.36E.20.322 Well 7 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 88267 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Tatum median
318 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 318–318 PPM
New Mexico median
228 PPM
90 PPM higher194 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)
0.0011 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2024
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 0.0011
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 15
- Health-based
- 2
- Active health-based
- 2
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3522013 | Unaddressed | Feb 25, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3522013 | Unaddressed | Feb 25, 2026 |
| Chlorine | NM3522013 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3522013 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2024through Sep 30, 2024 |
| Public Notice | NM3522013 | Resolved | Mar 1, 2023through Jul 27, 2023 |
| Public Notice | NM3522013 | Resolved | Feb 20, 2022through Feb 28, 2022 |
| Public Notice | NM3522013 | Resolved | Feb 20, 2022through Feb 28, 2022 |
| Public Notice | NM3522013 | Resolved | Feb 20, 2022through Feb 28, 2022 |
| Public Notice | NM3522013 | Resolved | Feb 20, 2022through Feb 28, 2022 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3522013 | Resolved | Nov 1, 2021through Nov 30, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3522013 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Oct 31, 2021 |
| Chlorine | NM3522013 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2021through Dec 29, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3522013 | Resolved | Sep 1, 2021through Sep 30, 2021 |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | NM3522013 | Resolved | Aug 1, 2021through Aug 31, 2021 |
| Chlorine | NM3522013 | Resolved | Jul 1, 2021through Sep 30, 2021 |
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 Tatum ZIP 88267 using 318 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
318 PPM is 3× 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
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 Tatum
Is tap water safe in Tatum?+
EPA ECHO reports 2 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 318 PPM, or 18.6 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 318 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.