01The verdict: is Fort Sumner water safe?
Fort Sumner's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (51.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,243 residents using groundwater (wells).
76 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓9 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Fort Sumner's drinking water received a grade of D+ (51.3 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,243 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 134 violations on record, including 51 health-based violations. 76 remain unresolved.
Fort Sumner ranks #72 out of 153 cities in New Mexico for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Fort Sumner relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Fort Sumner may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 9 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Fort Sumner's water
Every contaminant flagged in Fort Sumner, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 1.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in New Mexico
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in New Mexico
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Fort Sumner's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 134 violations on record, including 51 health-based violations. 76 remain unresolved.
2 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 9 ppb since 2004. Latest reading: 9 ppb (2025) — 60% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Fort Sumner's water comes from
Fort Sumner's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,243 people
Residents served across Fort Sumner's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,243 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORT SUMNER MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM | NM3527706 | 1,789 | Groundwater |
| VALLEY MDWCA | NM3552206 | 454 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Fort Sumner
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Fort Sumner's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Drought
DeBaca County is in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Fort Sumner compares
Scores for nearby New Mexico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Mexico average (49/100)
Fort Sumner scores 51.3/100 — on par with the New Mexico average of 49/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full New Mexico rankings →
40.2 / 100FLas Cruces, NM
40.1 / 100FSanta Fe, NM
35.7 / 100BRio Rancho, NM
83.8 / 100DRoswell, NM
45.8 / 100FFarmington, NM
40.4 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Fort Sumner's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Fort Sumner's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Fort Sumner alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Sumner, NM tap water safe to drink?
Fort Sumner's water quality earned a grade of D+ (51.3/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #72 out of 153 cities tested in New Mexico.
What contaminants are in Fort Sumner's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 134 violations are on record.
How is Fort Sumner'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 Fort Sumner?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Sumner's water come from?
Fort Sumner's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,243 residents.
What health violations has Fort Sumner's water system had?
Fort Sumner has 51 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 76 violations remain unresolved.
Is Fort Sumner's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Fort Sumner 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 134 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 Fort Sumner's water compare to other cities?
Fort Sumner ranks #72 out of 153 cities in New Mexico (better than 53% of state cities) and #12651 out of 15382 cities nationally (18th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.