Well Water in Bernalillo, New Mexico

Sandoval County · Population ~10,000 · Aquifer: Rio Grande Alluvium / Santa Fe Group

Hardness: 319 PPM (~18.7 gpg) — Very Hard

The Town of Bernalillo sits along the Rio Grande in Sandoval County. While many residents are on the public system, private well owners face notably hard water and the same arsenic geology that affects the broader middle Rio Grande corridor.

Very Hard Water

Bernalillo water averages 319 PPM (~18.7 grains per gallon) — firmly in the "very hard" category. This is hard enough to cause significant scaling in pipes and water heaters, leave mineral deposits on everything, and make soap and detergent much less effective.

A water softener is essentially standard equipment for Bernalillo homeowners. Without one, expect shorter appliance lifespans and constant scale buildup.

Arsenic and Other Contaminants

Bernalillo falls within the middle Rio Grande arsenic zone — the same volcanic geology and rift-zone faulting that elevates arsenic across the basin. Wells should be tested for arsenic at least once. See our arsenic guide for full details.

Iron and manganese are also common, causing staining and taste issues. These are treatable with appropriate filtration systems.

Testing and Resources

Test for arsenic, hardness, iron, manganese, bacteria, nitrates, pH, and TDS. See our testing guide for local labs and the state's free testing fairs.

For treatment companies familiar with the area, see our resources page.

Every well is different. Two wells on the same street can produce completely different water. The data on this page reflects documented conditions in the Bernalillo area, but the only way to know what's in your water is to test it.

Sources

  • USGS — Middle Rio Grande Basin Water Quality
  • NMED — Drinking Water Quality Data for Sandoval County