Drinking water quality · 2023
What's in Las Vegas, NV tap water
16 contaminants were measured in the Las Vegas, NV water system's 2023 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 1 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2023
- Contaminants measured
- 16
- Over federal limit
- 1
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- Lead
- Service area
- NV
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | 16 ug/LMaximumLas Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System | None set | At or above the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 1.9 ug/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells), River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility
| |||
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.1 mg/LAverageAlfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility | 2 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells)
| |||
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 2.4 ug/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells)
| |||
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.85 %AverageLas Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 77 ug/LAverageLas Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System | None set | Approaching the limit |
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 42 ug/LAverageLas Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System | None set | Within the limit |
| BromateA disinfection byproduct formed when bromide-containing water is treated with ozone. | 4.3 ug/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | None set | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, River Mountains Water Treatment Facility
| |||
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 3.9 pCi/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | 15 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells), River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility
| |||
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 4 ug/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | 30 ug/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells)
| |||
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorine Free | 1 mg/LAverageLas Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
| Radium 226 228 | Not detected pCi/LAverageAlfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility | 5 pCi/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells), Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, River Mountains Water Treatment Facility
| |||
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| FluorideA mineral often added to drinking water to help prevent tooth decay. | 0.71 mg/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | 4 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (4)— River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Las Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System, Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility +1 more
| |||
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.61 mg/LAverageRiver Mountains Water Treatment Facility | 10 mg/LMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (3)— Las Vegas Valley Water District Groundwater (Wells), River Mountains Water Treatment Facility, Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility
| |||
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.08 NTUHighest single sampleAlfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility | 1 NTUMCL | Within the limit |
+By source (2)— Alfred Merritt Smith Water Treatment Facility, River Mountains Water Treatment Facility
| |||
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0.3 %AverageLas Vegas Valley Water District Distribution System | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
People also ask about Las Vegas, NV's water
+Is Las Vegas, NV tap water safe to drink in 2023?
The 2023 Consumer Confidence Report for the Las Vegas, NV water utility lists 1 contaminant at or above the federal limit: Lead. Whether that means the water is "unsafe" depends on which contaminant, how long the exposure, and individual health factors. The table on this page shows the measured value, the federal threshold, and the regulated statistic used for compliance.
+What contaminants are in Las Vegas, NV tap water?
16 contaminants were measured in Las Vegas, NV's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning metals, disinfection byproducts, and inorganic chemicals. 8 have an enforceable federal limit; the rest are detected but unregulated. Every measured value, in the utility's own units, is on this page.
+Which contaminants exceed federal limits in Las Vegas, NV tap water?
One contaminant in Las Vegas, NV's 2023 report sits at or above the federal limit: Lead (1.1× the limit). The EPA enforces these limits against the regulated reporting statistic — typically a running annual average or 90th percentile — not a one-off sample spike.
+What is the worst contaminant in Las Vegas, NV tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2023 report is Lead, at 1.1× the federal threshold. It belongs to the metals family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Las Vegas, NV tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: TTHM. Approaching means measured but not in violation — a margin that can close quickly if conditions change.
+Where does the data on this page come from?
Every value is transcribed from Las Vegas, NV's 2023 Consumer Confidence Report — the annual drinking-water report every U.S. public water utility is required by federal law to publish. The original source document is archived and viewable on this site. A water-quality report covers an entire service area, not a single address.
+How often is Las Vegas, NV's water quality data updated?
Each U.S. public water utility publishes one Consumer Confidence Report per year, covering the prior calendar year's measurements. This page reflects the 2023 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.