What was found in Reno's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 3673 µg/L 37% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 18000 µg/L — GREAT BASIN WATER CO COLD SPRINGS · 9,910 people · 2019 | 13/16 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 2945 µg/L 29% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 10410 µg/L — GREAT BASIN WATER CO COLD SPRINGS · 9,910 people · 2019 | 14/16 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 10 µg/L 0.8% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 5040 µg/L — MOUNT ROSE BOWL PROPERTY OWNERS WATER CO · 40 people · 2019 | 16/16 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 287.2 µg/L 7.2% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 1240 µg/L — GREAT BASIN WATER CO COLD SPRINGS · 9,910 people · 2019 | 14/16 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 98.595 µg/L 4.9% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 278.5 µg/L — KE TA MOBILE HOME PARK · 60 people · 2019 | 14/16 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 100 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 1/16 | UCMR-5 |
| Combined Uranium | 6.68 µg/L 22% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 88.05 µg/L — GREAT BASIN WATER CO COLD SPRINGS · 9,910 people · 2019 | 15/16 | SYR4 |
| Nitrite | 80 µg/L 8% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: SILVER KNOLLS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 120 people · 2017 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 53 µg/L 66% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 9/16 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 48 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 8/16 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 41 µg/L 68% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 6/16 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 39 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 30.4 µg/L 203% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Highest in the city: MOUNT ROSE BOWL PROPERTY OWNERS WATER CO · 40 people · 2019 | 8/16 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 24.15 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 5/16 | SYR4 |
| Gross Beta Particle Activity | 7.45 pCi/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2015
Highest in the city: 17.99 pCi/L — GREAT BASIN WATER CO COLD SPRINGS · 9,910 people · 2017 | 11/16 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 17.64 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 6/16 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 17.6 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 12 µg/L 120% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 10 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 14.8 µg/L — SILVER KNOLLS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY · 120 people · 2019 | 14/16 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 14.1 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 8/16 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 9.0125 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 8/16 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 5.32 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 8.99 µg/L — STAMPMILL · 118 people · 2019 | 5/16 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 8.958 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 7/16 | SYR4 |
| Thallium, Total | 5.89 µg/L 295% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 2 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 5.648 µg/L 94% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 3/16 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 5.06 pCi/L 34% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2018 | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 5 µg/L 10% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Highest in the city: GREAT BASIN WATER CO SPANISH SPRINGS · 1,450 people · 2012 | 4/16 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 4.58 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 2.195 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3.86 µg/L — GREAT BASIN WATER CO SPANISH SPRINGS · 1,450 people · 2019 | 4/16 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 3.514 pCi/L 70% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3.8 pCi/L — STEAMBOAT SPRINGS WATERWORKS INC · 998 people · 2019 | 12/16 | SYR4 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 3.4 µg/L 68% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 2/16 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroethylene | 1.318 µg/L 26% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 0.9400 µg/L 16% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 0.8375 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L Highest in the city: STAMPMILL · 118 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.6250 µg/L 8.9% of the EPA limit 7 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Mercury | 0.2527 µg/L 13% of the EPA limit 2 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 0.5000 µg/L — LARK MOBILE HOME PARK · 30 people · 2019 | 4/16 | SYR4 |
| Dalapon | 0.4200 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| 2,4-D | 0.2225 µg/L 0.3% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Benzo(A)Pyrene | 0.1100 µg/L 55% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| Hexachlorocyclopentadiene | 0.0690 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| PFOS | 0.0200 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 1/16 | UCMR-5 |
| 1,2-DIBROMO-3-CHLOROPROPANE | 0.0190 µg/L 9.5% of the EPA limit 0.2000 µg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2019 | 1/16 | SYR4 |
| PFHXS | 0.0150 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 1/16 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfpea | 0.0130 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 2/16 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfhxa | 0.0120 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 2/16 | UCMR-5 |
| Pfba | 0.0068 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 1/16 | UCMR-5 |
| PFBS | 0.0057 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 2/16 | UCMR-5 |
| PFOA | 0.0055 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 1/16 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025
Highest in the city: 0.0050 mg/L — KE TA MOBILE HOME PARK · 60 people · 2023 | 16/16 | LCR |
| Pfhpa | 0.0039 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY · 442,000 people · 2025 | 1/16 | UCMR-5 |
Each bar shows the measured level as a share of the EPA limit: green is
well under, amber is close to it, red is over. For lead and copper the
limit applies to exactly the 90th-percentile figure shown, so red there
means a real exceedance. For everything else the limit applies to a
running annual average while the figure is the 95th percentile of the
system's samples — over 100% is worth reading, but is not by itself a
violation.
Formal violations are listed separately.
These are the utilities' own EPA-reported results, not a city-wide
average. A detection means the lab measured the
substance — it isn't the same as exceeding a legal limit. Hover a source
tag to see the EPA program and years behind each figure.
Water suppliers serving Reno
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY | 442,000 |
| GREAT BASIN WATER CO COLD SPRINGS | 9,910 |
| GREAT BASIN WATER CO SPANISH SPRINGS | 1,450 |
| STEAMBOAT SPRINGS WATERWORKS INC | 998 |
| VERDI MEADOWS UTILITY COMPANY INC | 510 |
| GRANDVIEW TERRACE WATER DISTRICT | 328 |
| LIGHTNING W | 163 |
| OLD WASHOE ESTATES | 135 |
| SILVER KNOLLS MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | 120 |
| STAMPMILL | 118 |
| SUNRISE ESTATES | 90 |
| KE TA MOBILE HOME PARK | 60 |
| SUTCLIFFE MOBILE PARK | 60 |
| ROSEMOUNT WATER CO | 54 |
| MOUNT ROSE BOWL PROPERTY OWNERS WATER CO | 40 |
| LARK MOBILE HOME PARK | 30 |
Frequently asked questions about Reno tap water
Is Reno tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 49 contaminants in the water serving Reno. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Reno?
16 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Reno, Nevada to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Reno's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Reno include Nitrate, Nitrate-Nitrite, Copper, Fluoride, Barium. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.