Roswell Water Hardness & Quality Report (2026)

The City of Roswell Municipal Water System Utility serves Roswell in Chaves County, New Mexico. Water is sourced exclusively from groundwater in the San Andres aquifer within the Roswell Artesian Basin. The system operates twenty production wells capable of 41 million gallons per day, with 24 million gallons of reservoir storage. No surface water is used; the supply relies on wellhead protection and system management, with source water assessments indicating moderately low susceptibility to contamination.

The Roswell Artesian Basin spans over 4,000 square miles in the lower Pecos Valley of Chaves and northern Eddy Counties. The San Andres aquifer dips beneath confining gypsum beds of the Seven Rivers Formation, with recharge from the southern Sacramento Mountains via the Yeso Formation. This geology — including limestone and evaporite formations — imparts a highly mineralized character, with salinity increasing toward the Pecos River and a freshwater-saltwater interface beneath the city, resulting in a characteristically hard supply.

Very hard water promotes significant scale buildup in pipes, water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines, reducing efficiency, shortening appliance lifespan, and increasing energy costs. Soap lathering is poor, often causing dry skin and soap scum. Regular descaling of fixtures and appliances, installing sediment filters, and flushing hot water heaters are all recommended. A water softener is essential to protect plumbing infrastructure. The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report notes no violations; inorganic contaminants such as radium (0.75 pCi/L), nitrate, and zinc (0.12 ppm) remain below limits. No fluoride is added; treatment focuses on monitoring and well integrity per state requirements.