01The verdict: is Gamerco water safe?
Gamerco's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (70.2/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,744 residents using groundwater (wells).
38 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 ↓Top half in New Mexico
Gamerco ranks #49 of 153 graded New Mexico cities.
See the comparison ↓2 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 ↓Gamerco's drinking water received a grade of B- (70.2 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,744 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 8.3 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 77 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved.
Gamerco ranks #49 out of 153 cities in New Mexico for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Gamerco purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Gamerco may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Gamerco's water
Every contaminant flagged in Gamerco, 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. | 8.3 | 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
03Gamerco'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 77 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 38 remain unresolved.
5 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 8.3 ppb since 2007. Latest reading: 8.3 ppb (2025) — 55% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Gamerco's water comes from
Gamerco purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,744 people
Residents served across Gamerco's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Gamerco'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 1,744 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GAMERCO WATER & SANITATION | NM3508517 | 1,744 | Purchased Groundwater |
05Pressure on Gamerco'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.
Flood & storm history
6 federal disaster declarations on record for McKinley County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
McKinley County is in D3 (extreme 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 Gamerco compares
Scores for nearby New Mexico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Mexico average (49/100)
Gamerco scores 70.2/100 — above 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 Gamerco's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 8.3 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Gamerco alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Gamerco, NM tap water safe to drink?
Gamerco's water quality earned a grade of B- (70.2/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #49 out of 153 cities tested in New Mexico.
What contaminants are in Gamerco's water?
Lead was measured at 8.3 ppb (90th percentile). 77 violations are on record.
How is Gamerco'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 Gamerco?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Gamerco's water come from?
Gamerco's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,744 residents.
What health violations has Gamerco's water system had?
Gamerco has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 38 violations remain unresolved.
Is Gamerco's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Gamerco 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 77 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 Gamerco's water compare to other cities?
Gamerco ranks #49 out of 153 cities in New Mexico (better than 68% of state cities) and #10640 out of 15382 cities nationally (31th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Gamerco's small water system affect quality?
Gamerco's system serves approximately 1,744 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 77 violations on record.