Clovis Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

EPCOR Water New Mexico serves Clovis in Curry County, providing water to approximately 40,000 residents across the city and surrounding areas. The utility operates 82 intake wells tapping the Ogallala Aquifer, with no surface water sources in use. Treatment occurs at multiple wellhead facilities, focusing on disinfection via chloramination, fluoride addition, and corrosion control through blending from multiple wells; there are no centralized treatment plants named in available reports. The service area covers Clovis city limits and nearby unincorporated parts of Curry County.

The High Plains region watershed feeds the Ogallala Aquifer, recharged by sparse precipitation and snowmelt from the Rocky Mountains. Water moves through Quaternary alluvial deposits and the Pliocene Ogallala Formation, interacting with caliche-cemented sands and gravels rich in calcium carbonate from evaporative processes in the semi-arid climate. Underlying Permian bedrock, including limestone and evaporites, contributes dissolved minerals. This geology imparts a very hard character to the supply, with elevated calcium and magnesium from prolonged contact with carbonate-rich strata in the arid environment.

Very hard water in Clovis promotes heavy scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency by up to 50% and shortening appliance life. Faucets and fixtures develop limescale rings, while laundry feels stiff and soap scum forms in bathrooms. Regular vinegar descaling, low-flow aerators, and magnetic descalers help mitigate issues; a whole-home water softener is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and appliances. The 2023 EPCOR Clovis CCR reports hardness at 10–21 grains per gallon (170–360 mg/L as CaCO3); trace PFAS (4–7 ppt) linked to Cannon Air Force Base contamination were detected in 10% of wells, with affected wells decommissioned and levels below health advisories.