Is Vaughn, NM Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D+, with 48 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
50/100
waterverge.com Vaughn, NM — Water Quality Report
Vaughn's drinking water received a grade of D+ (50 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 785 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.5 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 263 violations on record, including 32 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved.
What to know about Vaughn's water
Vaughn ranks #82 out of 163 cities in New Mexico for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Vaughn 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, Vaughn may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Vaughn, NM water safe to drink?
Vaughn's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (50/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 785 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Vaughn
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Vaughn's water quality assessment. Grade: D+ (50/100).
Contaminants: Public Notice.
Contaminants: Public Notice.
6 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule, Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4152). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3229). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Vaughn's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Vaughn's water system has 263 total violations on record, including 32 health-based violations. 48 remain unresolved. 11 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Guadalupe County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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 Vaughn's water come from?
Vaughn's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 785 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Vaughn residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Vaughn'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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtGuadalupe 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
Guadalupe County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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. | 2.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Vaughn compares by contaminant
Explore where Vaughn ranks among all New Mexico cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Vaughn's water comes from
Vaughn's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
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 785 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Vaughn
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAUGHN DURAN WATER SYSTEM | NM3515310 | 785 | GW |
How Vaughn compares
Full New Mexico rankings →Vaughn's score of 50/100 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 Vaughn, NM
Wikipedia →Vaughn is a town in Guadalupe County, New Mexico, United States. The population was 286 at the 2020 census, down from the figure of 446 recorded in 2010. It is located at an intersection of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific railroad lines.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Vaughn's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Guadalupe
Frequently asked questions
Is Vaughn, NM tap water safe to drink?
Vaughn's water quality earned a grade of D+ (50/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #82 out of 163 cities tested in New Mexico.
What contaminants are in Vaughn's water?
Lead was measured at 2.5 ppb (90th percentile). 263 violations are on record.
How is Vaughn'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 Vaughn?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Vaughn's water come from?
Vaughn's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 785 residents.
What health violations has Vaughn's water system had?
Vaughn has 32 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. 48 violations remain unresolved.
Is Vaughn's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Vaughn 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 263 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 Vaughn's water compare to other cities?
Vaughn ranks #82 out of 163 cities in New Mexico (better than 50% of state cities) and #13174 out of 15744 cities nationally (16th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Vaughn's small water system affect quality?
Vaughn's system serves approximately 785 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 263 violations on record.