Ruidoso Water System

Municipal water, including bottled varieties, can be expected to contain at least small amounts of certain contaminants. The presence of these substances doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. For more detailed information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800-426-4791).

Water sources (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water moves across land or underground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials. It can also pick up substances from animal or human activities.

Common contaminant sources include:

• Microbial contaminants from sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, agricultural operations, and wildlife
• Inorganic contaminants like salts and metals that occur naturally or result from urban runoff, industrial discharges, oil/gas production, mining, or farming
• Pesticides and herbicides from agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential usage
• Organic chemicals, including synthetic and volatile compounds from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, stormwater runoff, and septic systems
• Radioactive contaminants that occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining

To ensure tap water safety, the EPA establishes regulations limiting contaminant levels in public water systems. Similarly, FDA regulations set limits for contaminants in bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection.

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