Hardness
Very Hard
264 PPM · 15.4 GPG
Local water dashboard
Official source aggregationWater quality in Vaughn, NM 88353
A source-transparent look at local hardness, associated public water systems, EPA compliance history, and the measurements that are—and are not—available for Guadalupe County.
6 active health-based violations
- Primary matched system
- Vaughn Duran Water System
- Source water
- Groundwater
- County
- Guadalupe County
- Profile updated
At a glance
What the current records say
EPA quarter 2026Q2
Compliance screen
Review needed
6 active health-based records
Lead 90th percentile
0.0025 mg/L
17% of action level
Utility match
1 system
Serves 785 people system-wide
Hardness meter
How hard is the water?
Estimated local hardness
USGS hardness classification scale
264 PPM
Soft
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
0–59Moderate
60–120Hard
121–180Very hard
181+
Parts per million
264
mg/L as CaCO₃ equivalent
Grains per gallon
15.4
1 GPG ≈ 17.1 PPM
What this means at home
At 264 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
20
Nearest site
67.1 mi
Observation range
Jul 3, 2016–Jan 27, 2026
Estimate confidence
Low
Median of the latest qualifying hardness observation at each nearby monitoring site. Nearest monitoring location: 14N.14E.30.232 1 (Well).USGS source documentation ↗
Regional context
Is 88353 typical?
These comparisons use other indexed ZIP estimates, not utility tap samples. They help show local context without replacing a household test.
Vaughn median
264 PPM
About the same1 indexed ZIP readings · Range 264–264 PPM
New Mexico median
228 PPM
36 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)
0.0025 mg/L
Reported Dec 31, 2026
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 0.0025
EPA limit 0.015
Share of EPA benchmark
100% line = listed limit
2026Q2
- All records
- 13
- Health-based
- 6
- Active health-based
- 6
| Contaminant or rule | System | Status | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| E. COLI | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 19, 2025 |
| Public Notice | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Sep 24, 2025 |
| Public Notice | NM3515310 | Resolved | Apr 24, 2025through Sep 12, 2025 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2024 |
| Groundwater RuleHealth-based | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Oct 2, 2024 |
| Consumer Confidence Rule | NM3515310 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2024through Nov 18, 2024 |
| E. COLI | NM3515310 | Resolved | Sep 22, 2024through Feb 12, 2025 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | NM3515310 | Resolved | Oct 1, 2023through Jul 30, 2024 |
| Public Notice | NM3515310 | Unaddressed | Mar 4, 2016 |
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 Vaughn ZIP 88353 using 264 PPM nearby hardness and 1 reported measurement benchmarks.
Scale protection
High-Capacity Whole House Water Softener
264 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
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 Vaughn
Is tap water safe in Vaughn?+
EPA ECHO reports 6 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 264 PPM, or 15.4 grains per gallon, classified as very hard. This is not a household tap measurement.
Do I need a water softener?+
At 264 PPM, a correctly sized whole-house softener can reduce scale and hard-water spotting. It does not replace contaminant filtration.