Drinking Water Quality
Drinking water supplied by UNM is safe, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the New Mexico Environment Department (NMED). The UNM Environmental Health & Safety Department (EHS) and UNM Utility Services Department (Utilities) work together to maintain the best quality drinking water for campus consumers.
To keep consumers informed about the quality of drinking water, EHS annually produces a drinking water quality report. The report complies with the Safe Drinking Water Act and is delivered via email to all faculty and staff on the Albuquerque Campuses.
Download the most recent UNM drinking water quality report by clicking here.
Para la versión en español de la Calidad del Agua Potable haga clic aquí.
Drinking-Water Source
Due to the large geographical size and diverse land and water uses, UNM has operated its own drinking water system for decades. UNM’s water system saves the university more than $100,000 per year in operating costs, as opposed to buying drinking water from the Albuquerque-Bernalillo County Water Utility Authority (ABCWUA).
The drinking water for UNM’s Central Campus and portions of the North Campus is pumped from groundwater well. It produces water at approximately 2,000 gallons per minute from a maximum depth of about 720 feet below the ground. This water is pumped to a 1,250,000-gallon storage tank from which the chlorinated water is distributed.
The UNM Hospital and South Campuses are primarily supplied drinking water by the ABCWUA system. During UNM system outages, all campuses use ABCWUA drinking water. For information regarding ABCWUA water quality,
- call 505-842-WATR (9287),
- email WebCustomerService@abcwua.org, or
- visit https://www.abcwua.org/your-drinking-water/
As required for all public water systems above a specific size, the NMED conducted an independent assessment of the vulnerability of UNM’s drinking water source to contamination. To obtain a copy of the NMED’s November 2002 UNM Source Water Assessment, please contact EHS.
How You Can Get Involved
If you have questions, would like more information, or wish to provide public comments, contact UNM’s Environmental Health & Safety department.
