Well Water in Rio Rancho, New Mexico

Sandoval County · Population ~100,000 (city); private well areas vary · Aquifer: Santa Fe Group

Hardness: Extremely Hard (EPA classification)

Rio Rancho is mostly served by a municipal water system, but significant areas — particularly in Rio Rancho Estates and other outlying developments — rely on private wells. The city has a formal Private Well Program and restricts new well drilling to properties where the city water line is more than 200 feet away.

Arsenic and Radon

The two standout concerns for Rio Rancho private well owners are arsenic and waterborne radon, both found at levels "far higher than EPA maximum contaminant levels" according to city water quality assessments.

Arsenic comes from the same volcanic geology that affects much of the middle Rio Grande basin — deep mineralized water rising along faults in the Rio Grande Rift. Radon is a radioactive gas that can dissolve in groundwater and is released when water is used for showering or cooking. It's a known cause of lung cancer.

Both are invisible, tasteless, and odorless. Testing is the only way to know your levels.

The Santa Fe Group Aquifer

Rio Rancho wells draw from the Santa Fe Group aquifer — the same principal aquifer that supplies the entire Albuquerque Basin. Water quality in the Santa Fe Group degrades near the Ziana horst, a geological structure that disrupts normal groundwater flow and brings older, more mineralized water closer to the surface.

Water is rated "Extremely Hard" by EPA classification. Iron is commonly elevated, causing rust-colored staining.

Oil and Gas Concerns

The Rio Rancho Estates area has additional groundwater concerns related to oil and gas drilling. While not all areas are affected, there are documented concerns about potential contamination of shallow groundwater from drilling operations. If you're in Rio Rancho Estates, ask about the history of nearby drilling when purchasing property.

The Private Well Program

Rio Rancho has a formal Private Well Program — one of the few New Mexico municipalities to specifically regulate private wells within city limits. Key rules:

If you're on a private well in Rio Rancho, test for arsenic, radon, iron, hardness, and a basic mineral panel. See our testing guide for details.

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 Rio Rancho area, but the only way to know what's in your water is to test it.

Sources

  • City of Rio Rancho — Private Well Program
  • USGS — Santa Fe Group Aquifer Water Quality Studies
  • NM Bureau of Geology — Ziana Horst Structure and Groundwater Quality
  • NMED — Arsenic and Radon in Middle Rio Grande Basin