Well Water Resources for New Mexico
Testing labs, treatment companies, costs, and government resources for private well owners.
Water Testing
For detailed testing information — labs, costs, free options, and what to test for — see our complete testing guide.
Treatment Companies
These companies serve the Albuquerque metro and central New Mexico area. We are not affiliated with any of them — this list is provided as a starting point for your research.
- Alpine Services 15+ years in business. Serves Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Los Lunas, and Belen. General water treatment services.
- Universal Water Systems (EcoWater NM) In business since 1998. Offers free water analysis. (505) 633-9155. EcoWater-branded systems.
- Culligan of Albuquerque Full-service water treatment. 30-day satisfaction guarantee. National brand with local service.
- TLC Plumbing Installs Kinetico water treatment systems. 24-hour service. Serves Albuquerque and Santa Fe areas.
- Daniels Plumbing Carbon filtration, reverse osmosis, UV treatment systems. (505) 898-8860.
- Wagner Mechanical Offers salt-free electric descaling systems. Serves Albuquerque and Santa Fe.
- TEER Water Specializes in Corrales, Placitas, and Rio Rancho areas. Familiar with the specific water chemistry in those communities.
- Sodeco Modern Water Systems In business since 1979. Long-established local company.
Treatment Costs
What you'll actually pay for common treatment systems in New Mexico:
| System | Equipment Cost | Installation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Point-of-use RO (kitchen sink) | $239-$600 | $150-$700 | Treats one tap. Most cost-effective for arsenic/uranium. Filter changes every 6-12 months. |
| Whole-house RO | $4,500-$20,000+ | Treats all water. High maintenance. Needed for extreme TDS (Estancia Basin). | |
| Water softener | $1,000-$2,500 | Ion exchange. Addresses hardness only. Does NOT remove arsenic/uranium/nitrates. | |
| UV disinfection | $350-$1,500 | $200-$600 | Whole-house bacteria treatment. Bulb replacement annually (~$50-$100). |
| Adsorptive media (arsenic) | Varies by system | Whole-house arsenic treatment. Media replacement every 1-3 years. Works best at pH <7.0. | |
Always test before you buy. A salesperson who recommends a system without seeing your water test results is not working in your interest. Know what's in your water, at what concentrations, and then match the treatment to the problem.
Government Resources
- NM Office of the State Engineer Oversees well permits and water rights. Contact for questions about drilling, deepening, or replacing a well.
- NMED Drinking Water Bureau Regulates public water systems, provides private well guidance, organizes free water test fairs. Start here for state-level resources.
- NMED Liquid Waste Program Free nitrate, fluoride, and iron testing year-round at field offices. Also handles septic system regulations.
- Bernalillo County Environmental Health (505) 314-0310. The only county in NM requiring county-level well permits. Contact for Bernalillo County well regulations.
- USDA Rural Development - New Mexico Grants and loans for rural water systems. Individual well owners may qualify through community programs.
- EPA Private Well Resources Federal guidance for private well owners, including testing recommendations and contaminant fact sheets.
Further Reading
- USGS Water Resources of New Mexico Detailed geological and hydrological data. The USGS maintains monitoring wells across the state and publishes water quality data online.
- NM Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources Part of NM Tech. Publishes detailed hydrogeological studies of NM basins and aquifers. Their reports are the foundation for much of what we know about NM groundwater.
- NM Well Owner's Guide Published by the Office of the State Engineer. Covers construction, maintenance, testing, and abandonment.