Albuquerque, New Mexico Tap Water Quality Report (2026)

By Echo Water Research Team 4 min read
Albuquerque, New Mexico Tap Water Quality Report (2026)

Albuquerque, New Mexico Tap Water Quality Report

Serving utility: Albuquerque Water System

Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS

30
Contaminants Detected
16
Above EWG Guidelines
659,736
People Served

High Priority Concerns

Albuquerque tap water has 16 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs). Additionally, 15 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs).

Water Provider Information

Provider
Albuquerque Water System
Location
Albuquerque, NM
Population Served
659,736
Data Sources
EWG, EPA SDWIS
How does Albuquerque compare? See where it ranks in our New Mexico state rankings and national report.

Contaminants Detected

Contaminant Detected Level EWG Guideline Legal Limit Status
Arsenic carcinogen 2.38 ppb 0.00 ppb 10 ppb Above guideline
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen 14.80 ppb 0.06 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen 19.50 ppb 0.15 ppb 80 ppb Above guideline
Bromodichloromethane carcinogen 5.51 ppb 0.06 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen 7.32 ppb 0.10 ppb 60 ppb Above guideline
Dibromochloromethane carcinogen 5.92 ppb 0.10 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Dibromoacetic acid 1.58 ppb 0.03 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen 0.97 ppb 0.02 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Bromate carcinogen 1.67 ppb 0.10 ppb 10 ppb Above guideline
Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen 2.91 ppb 0.20 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Chloroform carcinogen 5.40 ppb 0.40 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen 1.21 ppb 0.10 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Bromoform carcinogen 2.71 ppb 0.50 ppb No legal limit Above guideline
Uranium carcinogen 1.54 pCi/L 0.43 pCi/L 20 pCi/L Above guideline
Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen 0.35 ppm 0.14 ppm 10 ppm Above guideline
Radium, combined (-226 and -228) 0.11 pCi/L 0.05 pCi/L 5 pCi/L Above guideline
1,4-Dioxane carcinogen 0.01 ppb 0.35 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
1-Butanol 0.07 ppb N/A No legal limit Below guideline
Barium 73.40 ppb 700 ppb 2,000 ppb Below guideline
Chlorate 87.80 ppb 210 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
Chromium (total) 0.28 ppb N/A 100 ppb Below guideline
Fluoride 0.57 ppm N/A 4 ppm Below guideline
Lithium 32.50 ppb N/A No legal limit Below guideline
Manganese 5.20 ppb 100 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
Molybdenum 3.07 ppb 40 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
Monobromoacetic acid 0.53 ppb 25 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
Monochloroacetic acid 1.08 ppb 53 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
Strontium 0.38 ppb 1,500 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
Vanadium 3.38 ppb 21 ppb No legal limit Below guideline
o-toluidine 0.00 ppb N/A No legal limit Below guideline

Health Context

Arsenic carcinogen

Long-term exposure increases risk of skin cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer; chronic exposure causes neurological effects and cardiovascular disease.

skin cancerbladder cancerlung cancerliver cancerkidney disease

Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen

Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.

Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen

Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.

Bromodichloromethane carcinogen

Bromodichloromethane is a trihalomethane (THM) disinfection byproduct that damages liver and kidneys with chronic exposure. EPA classifies it as a probable human carcinogen based on animal carcinogenicity data.

liver cirrhosiskidney diseasehepatocellular carcinomabladder cancercolon cancer

Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen

Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.

Recommended Filtration for This Water

Echo RO System

Reverse osmosis filtration removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and more. The gold standard for drinking water purification.

View RO Systems

Echo Whole-Home Filter

Filters water at every tap in your home. Reduces chlorine, VOCs, and disinfection byproducts from your shower, bath, and kitchen water.

View Whole-Home Filters

Echo Hydrogen Water Flask

Once your water is clean, supercharge it. Molecular hydrogen is the smallest, most bioavailable antioxidant — shown to reduce inflammation, boost energy, and support cellular health.

Shop Hydrogen Flask

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Albuquerque tap water safe to drink?

Albuquerque tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 16 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 15 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.

What contaminants are in Albuquerque water?

A total of 30 contaminants were detected in Albuquerque tap water, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Of these, 16 exceed EWG health guidelines.

What's the best water filter for Albuquerque?

For Albuquerque tap water, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water — it removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. For shower and bath water, a whole-home filtration system reduces chlorine and volatile organics.

Where does Albuquerque get its water?

Albuquerque tap water is provided by Albuquerque Water System, serving approximately 659,736 people. For detailed source water information, contact your local utility or visit the EPA's SDWIS database.

Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)

Last updated: March 2026

Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.

Share
Leave a comment

This site is protected by hCaptcha and the hCaptcha Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.