Nevada Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Nevada, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Elko City Of has the highest PFAS in Nevada at 46 ppt (12x the EPA limit). Signature Towers has the highest lead at 38 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Nevada
Public water systems in Nevada with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elko City Of | Elko · 23,000 served | 46 | 7 | 12x |
| 2 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority | Reno · 442,000 served | 20 | 7 | 5x |
| 3 | New York New York Hotel And Casino | – | 6.3 | 1 | 2x |
| 4 | Polo Towers | – | 6.2 | 1 | 2x |
| 5 | Great Basin Water Co Cold Springs | Reno · 9,650 served | 6.2 | 3 | 2x |
| 6 | Las Vegas Valley Water District | Las Vegas · 1,539,277 served | 5.6 | 2 | 1x |
| 7 | Fernley Public Works | Fernley · 23,064 served | 5.6 | 1 | 1x |
| 8 | Indian Hills Gid | Carson City · 5,962 served | 4.9 | 1 | 1x |
| 9 | Gardnerville Water Company | Gardnerville · 5,800 served | 4.7 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in Nevada
Community water systems in Nevada with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Signature Towers | Las Vegas · 2,356 served | 38 | 2.5x over |
| 2 | Kyle Canyon Water District | Las Vegas · 1,040 served | 22 | 1.5x over |
| 3 | Lovelock Correctional Center Ndoc | Las Vegas · 1,630 served | 19 | 1.3x over |
| 4 | Southern Desert Correctional Ctr Ndoc | Las Vegas · 6,200 served | 15 | within |
| 5 | Zephyr Cove Water Utility Distr | Minden · 1,209 served | 13 | within |
| 6 | Fairgrounds/Sunrise Estates | Minden · 1,011 served | 10 | within |
| 7 | Great Basin Water Co Spanish Springs | Reno · 1,460 served | 9 | within |
| 8 | Moapa Valley Water District | Overton · 8,500 served | 9 | within |
| 9 | Carlin Utilities | Carlin · 2,500 served | 8 | within |
| 10 | Silver Springs Mutual Water Company | Silver Springs · 3,070 served | 8 | within |
| 11 | Mcgill Water And Sewer Dist | Mcgill · 1,200 served | 8 | within |
| 12 | Yerington City Of | Yerington · 5,050 served | 7 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Nevada
Community water systems in Nevada with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Beatty Water And Sanitation District | Beatty · 1,024 served | 5 |
| 2 | Nellis Air Force Base | Nellis Afb · 19,081 served | 3 |
| 3 | Canyon Gid | Sparks · 1,310 served | 2 |
| 4 | Stagecoach Gid | Stagecoach · 1,628 served | 2 |
| 5 | Southern Desert Correctional Ctr Ndoc | Las Vegas · 6,200 served | 2 |
| 6 | Kingsbury Gid | Stateline · 3,839 served | 1 |
| 7 | Jackpot Water System | Jackpot · 1,240 served | 1 |
| 8 | Topaz Ranch Estates Gid And Water Co | Wellington · 1,545 served | 1 |
| 9 | Yerington City Of | Yerington · 5,050 served | 1 |
| 10 | Glenbrook Water Cooperative Inc | Glenbrook · 1,000 served | 1 |
| 11 | Primm Valley Casino Resorts | Las Vegas · 7,000 served | 1 |
| 12 | Great Basin Water Co Spanish Springs | Reno · 1,460 served | 1 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Nevada?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Elko City Of in Elko had the highest recorded PFAS level in Nevada at 46 ppt - about 12x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Nevada water system has the highest lead levels?
Signature Towers in Las Vegas had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Nevada under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 38 ppb - 2.5x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Nevada water system has the most EPA violations?
Beatty Water And Sanitation District in Beatty has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Nevada, with 5 violations.
Where does the Nevada water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Nevada Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Nevada water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.