Where does the water in 88262 come from?

Water for zip code 88262 in Mc Donald, New Mexico is provided by 2 water systems. Contact your local utility for specific source information, or check our detailed page for your area.

Water Hardness in 88262

Mc Donald, New Mexico · Lea County

281 PPM

16.4 GPG

Very Hard

0Soft60120180300+

High Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Dataset updated March 9, 2026Matched to 2 water systemsTap readings can vary by utility zone, treatment, and plumbing. Methodology

Source context

How this ZIP reading is built

This ZIP reading is built from 2 matched water systems. When more than one system is matched, the displayed value is weighted toward larger known service populations when that data is available.

Source basis

1 USGS-backed source

2 matched systems total for this ZIP; USGS monitoring is used where treated-water reports are unavailable.

Water source profile

Primarily groundwater

Groundwater commonly picks up calcium and magnesium after contact with rock and soil. This profile is weighted by known population served across matched systems.

Data recency

March 9, 2026

Dataset rebuilt March 9, 2026; individual utility reporting years can vary.

Hardness is a mineral-content reading, not a drinking-water safety rating. Use it for scale, appliance, and softener decisions; check your utility report or test your tap before sizing treatment equipment. See how we calculate local readings.

Water Systems Serving 88262

These are the systems matched to this ZIP code. The displayed ZIP value is weighted toward larger known service populations when population data is available.

2 water systems

PWSID is the public water system identifier. Data Source shows whether the hardness value comes from a treated-water report, USGS monitoring, or a local estimate; source year is shown when available.

Water System	Source	Hardness	Pop. Served	Data Source
Hobbs Municipal Water Supply NM3521613	groundwater	307 PPM Very Hard	40,418	Estimated — Nearby Data
Lovington Municipal Water Supply NM3521813	groundwater	202 PPM Hard	13,539	High Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Hobbs Municipal Water Supply

NM3521613

Very Hard

307 PPMgroundwater40,418 servedEstimated — Nearby Data

Lovington Municipal Water Supply

NM3521813

Hard

202 PPMgroundwater13,539 servedHigh Confidence — USGS Monitoring

Nearby Zip Codes

88260281 88267282 88264281 88114281 88242281

What This Means For You

Recommendations are based on the displayed ZIP hardness reading. Confirm your tap reading before sizing or buying treatment equipment.

Very Hard Water - Treatment Strongly Recommended

Your water is very hard. Without treatment, you can expect significant scale buildup in pipes and appliances, higher energy bills from reduced water heater efficiency, and persistent issues with skin and hair dryness.

Recommended Products

Salt-Based Water Softener

Our PickAFWFilters Fleck 5600SXT 48K Also GreatWhirlpool WHES40E 40K Also GreatAFWFilters 64K Grain Also GreatAFWFilters Iron Pro 2 64K Also GreatSpringWell Filter + Softener Combo

Water Hardness Test Kit

Our PickVarify (150 Strips)Also GreatJNW Direct (150 Strips)

Whole-House Water Filter

Our PickiSpring WGB32B 3-Stage

Water Softener Salt

Our PickMorton Clean & Protect Also GreatDiamond Crystal Bright & Soft

Shower Head Filter

Our PickWeddell Duo Also GreatAquaBliss SF100 Also GreatSprite Pure 7-Setting Also GreatAqua Earth 20-Stage

Learn more: Do I Need a Water Softener? | Salt-Based vs Salt-Free | Size Calculator | How to Test Your Water

Know your water hardness?

If you've tested your water or have your utility's CCR report, share your reading to help us improve accuracy for Mc Donald, NM (88262).

Submit Your Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water hard in Mc Donald, NM (88262)?

The average water hardness in 88262 is 281 PPM (16.4 GPG), which is classified as very hard.

Do I need a water softener in 88262?

With hardness of 281 PPM, a water softener is recommended for homes in 88262.

Is hard water in 88262 safe to drink?

Water hardness itself is a mineral-content reading, not a drinking-water safety rating. Calcium and magnesium are naturally occurring minerals, but you should check your utility's Consumer Confidence Report for contaminant and compliance information.

How many water systems serve 88262?

Zip code 88262 in Mc Donald, New Mexico is served by 2 water systems.