01The verdict: is Navajo Dam water safe?
Navajo Dam's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (44/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 545 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
165 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 3.3 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓90 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 ↓Navajo Dam's drinking water received a grade of F (44 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 545 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 3.3 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 464 violations on record, including 97 health-based violations. 165 remain unresolved.
Navajo Dam ranks #112 out of 153 cities in New Mexico for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. As a small community water system, Navajo Dam may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 90 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Navajo Dam's water
Every contaminant flagged in Navajo Dam, 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. | 3.3 | 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
03Navajo Dam'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 464 violations on record, including 97 health-based violations. 165 remain unresolved.
1 of the last ten years was clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 2.3 ppb since 2007. Latest reading: 3.3 ppb (2022) — 22% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Navajo Dam's water comes from
Navajo Dam's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
545 people
Residents served across Navajo Dam's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 545 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NAVAJO DAM DOMESTIC WATER CONSUMERS INC | NM3536724 | 545 | Surface Water |
| PINE RIVER MDCA | NM3501024 | 44 | Ground Water Under Influence |
Water bodies near Navajo Dam
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Navajo Dam's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Navajo Dam'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
3 federal disaster declarations on record for San Juan County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
San Juan 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 Navajo Dam compares
Scores for nearby New Mexico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Mexico average (49/100)
Navajo Dam scores 44/100 — on par with the New Mexico average of 49/100. It outscores 7 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 Navajo Dam's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Navajo Dam'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 →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 Navajo Dam 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 Navajo Dam, NM tap water safe to drink?
Navajo Dam's water quality earned a grade of F (44/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #112 out of 153 cities tested in New Mexico.
What contaminants are in Navajo Dam's water?
Lead was measured at 3.3 ppb (90th percentile). 464 violations are on record.
How is Navajo Dam'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 Navajo Dam?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Navajo Dam's water come from?
Navajo Dam's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 545 residents.
What health violations has Navajo Dam's water system had?
Navajo Dam has 97 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 165 violations remain unresolved.
How does Navajo Dam's water compare to other cities?
Navajo Dam ranks #112 out of 153 cities in New Mexico (better than 27% of state cities) and #14190 out of 15382 cities nationally (8th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.