Is Arenas Valley, NM Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
80.6/100
waterverge.com Arenas Valley, NM — Water Quality Report
Arenas Valley's drinking water received a grade of B+ (80.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,204 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.4 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 16 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 10 remain unresolved.
What to know about Arenas Valley's water
Arenas Valley ranks #34 out of 163 cities in New Mexico for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Arenas Valley purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Arenas Valley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Arenas Valley, NM water safe to drink?
Arenas Valley's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (80.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,204 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Arenas Valley
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Arenas Valley's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (80.6/100).
Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.
Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3229). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-992). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Arenas Valley's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Arenas Valley's water system has 16 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 10 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Grant County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Arenas Valley's water come from?
Arenas Valley's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,204 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Arenas Valley residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Arenas Valley's water.
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Arenas Valley's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Arenas Valley
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Arenas Valley, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
CHINO MINES CO MINE CONCENTRATOR-SXEW PLANTS VANADIUM, NM88023 | — | — | 5.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtGrant County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Grant County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1972. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 1.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Arenas Valley compares by contaminant
Explore where Arenas Valley ranks among all New Mexico cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Arenas Valley's water comes from
Arenas Valley purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Arenas Valley's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,204 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Arenas Valley
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARENAS VALLEY MDWCA | NM3523009 | 1,204 | GWP |
How Arenas Valley compares
Full New Mexico rankings →Arenas Valley's score of 80.6/100 is above the average of 44/100 among major New Mexico cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View New Mexico rankings →About Arenas Valley, NM
Wikipedia →Silver City is a town in Grant County, New Mexico, United States. It is the county seat and the home of Western New Mexico University. As of the 2010 census the population was 10,315. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,704.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Arenas Valley's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grant
Frequently asked questions
Is Arenas Valley, NM tap water safe to drink?
Arenas Valley's water quality earned a grade of B+ (80.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #34 out of 163 cities tested in New Mexico.
What contaminants are in Arenas Valley's water?
Lead was measured at 1.4 ppb (90th percentile). 16 violations are on record.
How is Arenas Valley's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Arenas Valley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Arenas Valley's water come from?
Arenas Valley's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,204 residents.
What health violations has Arenas Valley's water system had?
Arenas Valley has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 10 violations remain unresolved.
Is Arenas Valley's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Arenas Valley uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 16 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Arenas Valley's water compare to other cities?
Arenas Valley ranks #34 out of 163 cities in New Mexico (better than 79% of state cities) and #7794 out of 15744 cities nationally (51th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Arenas Valley's small water system affect quality?
Arenas Valley's system serves approximately 1,204 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 16 violations on record.