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Chaves, NM

Moderate Risk (40/100)

Transparent derived index from EPA TRI / SDWIS / Superfund extracts: not an official EPA rating. Fixed caps: facilities ≤25 pts (50+ = max), log10 releases ≤25 pts, Superfund ≤25 pts (5/site), health-violation systems ≤15 pts (3/system), high-chemical facilities ≤10 pts. Bands: High ≥60, Moderate ≥30. See methodology.

Environmental data for Chaves in New Mexico · Population: 64,446

TRI sites such as Leprino Foods Co; Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Inc. - Roswell; SDWIS systems such as ROSWELL MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM; BERRENDO COOPERATIVE WUA; DEXTER MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM; NPL sites such as Lea and West Second Street; McGaffey and Main Groundwater Plume anchor Chaves, NM's EPA extract. Derived burden score 40/100 (Moderate Risk) uses fixed national caps on density, log release volume, Superfund count, and health-flagged systems - not an official EPA rating.

Health-flagged SDWIS rows in Chaves include ROSWELL MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM; DEXTER MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM; HAGERMAN WATER SYSTEM, while Leprino Foods Co leads reported TRI pounds among local Form R filers. AQS median AQI 27 / peak 88 in 2024.

Burden score 40/100 (Moderate Risk) is the only weighted composite on this page. The tables below list every TRI facility, SDWIS system, and Superfund site EPA has on record for Chaves -- not just the names called out above -- reproducing the disclosure history as filed, not a current-safety verdict. Extract current as of 2026-08-25.

Release-over-release change

What changed for Chaves, NM: EPA TRI 2023 reporting year

2022 → 2023

Same facilities, both years

-15.8%

2 facilities that filed in 2022 and 2023

Whole inventory

-15.8%

5.7 thousand lb → 4.8 thousand lb, every facility that filed

  • Chaves, NM's total reported releases fell from 5.7 thousand lb in 2022 to 4.8 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Chaves, NM's air releases rose from 255 lb in 2022 to 505 lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Chaves, NM's chemicals reported rose from 4 in 2022 to 5 in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
  • Chaves, NM's land releases fell from 5.5 thousand lb in 2022 to 4.3 thousand lb in 2023, based on EPA TRI filings.
County population (Census ACS)
64,446
TRI Facilities
2
Water Systems
13
Superfund Sites
2
Total Releases
35.3K lbs

Air Quality History (2020–2024)

EPA Air Quality Index (AQI) data showing how many days per year fall into each air quality category.

Year Good Moderate Unhealthy (SG) Max AQI
2024 104 (91%) 10 0 88
2023 107 (91%) 11 0 75
2022 108 (89%) 13 0 64
2021 110 (91%) 11 0 74
2020 108 (91%) 11 0 78
2024 Good Air Quality: 91% of days
Median AQI: 27

Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County AQI categories: Good (0-50), Moderate (51-100), Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups (101-150), Unhealthy (151-200), Very Unhealthy (201-300), Hazardous (301+)

For real-time air quality readings and pollutant breakdowns in New Mexico, see the EPA's AirNow.gov.

Water Systems (13)

System System pop (SDWIS) Violations
ROSWELL MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM 54,025 2
BERRENDO COOPERATIVE WUA 4,304 0
DEXTER MUNICIPAL WATER SYSTEM 1,554 1
HAGERMAN WATER SYSTEM 1,292 5
TWIN FORKS MDWCA 1,274 3
FAMBROUGH MDWCA 439 0
LAKE ARTHUR WATER DEPARTMENT 374 4
CLOUD COUNTRY ESTATES WUA 356 0
ROSWELL CORRECTIONAL CENTER 280 6
GREENFIELD MDWCA 246 1
HOPE WATER SYSTEM 245 2
MAYHILL MDWCA 143 28
PETE RAGAN MEMORIAL WUA 82 6

TRI Facilities (2)

# Facility Total Releases
1 Leprino Foods Co 35.3K lbs
2 Ergon Asphalt & Emulsions Inc. - Roswell 0 lbs

Superfund Sites (2)

Site Name Status HRS Score
Lea and West Second Street NPL Site 50.00
McGaffey and Main Groundwater Plume NPL Site 50.00

Cities in Chaves (6)

Roswell
2 facilities · 4 water
Hagerman
0 facilities · 4 water
Mayhill
0 facilities · 4 water
Dexter
0 facilities · 1 water
Hope
0 facilities · 1 water
Lake Arthur
0 facilities · 1 water

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the environmental risk level in Chaves, New Mexico? ▼
Chaves, NM has an environmental risk score of 40/100 (Moderate Risk), based on 2 TRI facilities, 2 Superfund sites, and 13 water systems on record. 10 water systems have health-based violations. Source: EPA TRI, SDWIS, and Superfund NPL.
Are there Superfund sites in Chaves? ▼
Yes, Chaves, NM has 2 Superfund sites on the EPA National Priorities List (NPL). Superfund sites are contaminated locations that require long-term cleanup under the EPA Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).
How many toxic release facilities are in Chaves? ▼
Chaves, NM has 2 TRI-reporting facilities on record with the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, with a combined total of 35.3K lbs in reported toxic releases. TRI facilities self-report annual chemical release data to the EPA.
What is the air quality in Chaves? ▼
In 2024, Chaves, NM recorded a median AQI of 27 and a peak AQI of 88. 91% of monitored days had "Good" air quality (AQI 0–50). Source: EPA Air Quality System (AQS) Annual AQI by County.
Is the drinking water safe in Chaves? ▼
Chaves, NM has 13 EPA-regulated water systems. 10 systems have reported health-based violations (MCL exceedances). A past violation does not necessarily mean water is currently unsafe. For current water quality, contact your local water utility. Source: EPA SDWIS.
What environmental agencies cover Chaves? ▼
Environmental compliance in Chaves, New Mexico is overseen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) at the federal level and the New Mexico state environmental agency. Facilities report to the EPA Toxic Release Inventory, water systems are regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act, and contaminated sites are managed under the Superfund program. Contact your state environmental agency for local concerns.

What does this county environmental profile show?

This county environmental profile rolls up EPA Toxics Release Inventory facility reports, Safe Drinking Water Information System public-water-system filings, and Superfund National Priorities List sites for the county boundary defined by the U.S. Census Bureau. Facility counts reflect facilities with a reporting address inside the county, not where downstream environmental effects may be observed. Population figures are from the most recent Census ACS 5-year estimate. The county detail page is updated whenever the upstream EPA programs publish revised data; see the methodology page for the documented ingest cadence and the editorial choices governing how aggregations are computed.

Related Guides

Understanding EPA Data
How EPA collects and publishes environmental data
Environmental Justice
Who lives near polluters and environmental hazards
How to Check Environmental Quality
Step-by-step guide to checking your local environment

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

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Data sourced from U.S. EPA environmental datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainEnviro