Hardness
Very Hard
688.5 PPM · 40.3 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Truth Or Consequences, NM 87901
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Sierra County.
3 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Truth Or Consequences
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Sierra 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 mg/L
0% of action level
Utility match
2 systems
Serves 6,783 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
688.5 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
688.5
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
40.3
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 688.5 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
74
Nearest site
26.4 mi
Observation range
Apr 4, 2016–Sep 14, 2022
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 17S.04W.06.324 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 87901 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Truth Or Consequences median
555 PPM
134 PPM higher2 indexed ZIP readings · Range 422–688.5 PPM
New Mexico median
228 PPM
461 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 pass1 fail
Lead (PB90)
0 mg/L
Reported Jun 30, 2025
Copper (CU90)
Not available
No numerical 90th-percentile result
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
EPA limit 0.015
Fluoride
Measured in MG/L
Local 6.5
EPA limit 4
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 103
- Health-based
- 37
- Active health-based
- 3
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Groundwater Rule | NM3520027 | Resolved | Jan 11, 2026through Feb 20, 2026 |
| FluorideHealth-basedReported 6.5 MG/L · MCL 4 | NM3520027 | Archived | Jan 1, 2026through Mar 31, 2026 |
| Public Notice | NM3520027 | Resolved | Dec 15, 2025through Feb 11, 2026 |
| Public Notice | NM3514327 | Resolved | Nov 30, 2025through Dec 28, 2025 |
| FluorideHealth-basedReported 6.4 MG/L · MCL 4 | NM3520027 | Archived | Oct 1, 2025through Dec 31, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Jan 20, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Unaddressed | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Unaddressed | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Jan 20, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Jan 16, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Unaddressed | Sep 29, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Jan 20, 2026 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3514327 | Resolved | Sep 29, 2025through Dec 22, 2025 |
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 Truth Or Consequences ZIP 87901 using 688.5 PPM nearby hardness and 2 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
688.5 PPM is 6× 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
Fluoride, 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.
Nearby indexed reports
Compare ZIPs in Truth Or Consequences
Estimates can differ across a city because monitoring locations and associated systems differ.
Frequently asked
Water questions for Truth Or Consequences
Is tap water safe in Truth Or Consequences?+
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 688.5 PPM, or 40.3 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 688.5 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.