01The verdict: is Ramah, Pinehill water safe?
Ramah, Pinehill's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (27.1/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,007 residents using groundwater (wells).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 58.0 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓1K people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓Manganese is approaching its limit
Measured at 32.0 µg/L — 64% of the 50 µg/L limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Ramah, Pinehill's drinking water received a grade of F (27.1 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,007 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 58.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 333 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 36 remain unresolved.
Ramah, Pinehill ranks #153 out of 153 cities in New Mexico for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Ramah, Pinehill 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. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, Ramah, Pinehill may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 39 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Ramah, Pinehill's water
Every contaminant flagged in Ramah, Pinehill, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 58.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.50 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Ramah, Pinehill'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 333 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 36 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.
▼ Down 3.3 ppb since 1995. Latest reading: 2.5 ppb (2025) — 17% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
1.5mg/L(2025)
One sampling round on record — 115% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Ramah, Pinehill's water comes from
Ramah, Pinehill'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under native american ownership.
1,007 people
Residents served across Ramah, Pinehill'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 1,007 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinehill Community and School | NN3500250 | 1,007 | Groundwater |
05How Ramah, Pinehill compares
Scores for nearby New Mexico cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = New Mexico average (49/100)
Ramah, Pinehill scores 27.1/100 — below the New Mexico average of 49/100. 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
06What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Ramah, Pinehill's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (58.0 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 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 Ramah, Pinehill 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 Ramah, Pinehill, NM tap water safe to drink?
Ramah, Pinehill's water quality earned a grade of F (27.1/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #153 out of 153 cities tested in New Mexico.
What contaminants are in Ramah, Pinehill's water?
Lead was measured at 58.0 ppb (90th percentile). 333 violations are on record.
How is Ramah, Pinehill'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 Ramah, Pinehill?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Ramah, Pinehill's water come from?
Ramah, Pinehill's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,007 residents.
What health violations has Ramah, Pinehill's water system had?
Ramah, Pinehill has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in September 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 36 violations remain unresolved.
Is Ramah, Pinehill's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Ramah, Pinehill 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 333 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 Ramah, Pinehill's water compare to other cities?
Ramah, Pinehill ranks #153 out of 153 cities in New Mexico (better than 0% of state cities) and #15370 out of 15382 cities nationally (0th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Ramah, Pinehill's small water system affect quality?
Ramah, Pinehill's system serves approximately 1,007 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 333 violations on record.