Drinking water quality · 2024
What's in Reno, NV tap water
28 contaminants were measured in the Reno, NV water system's 2024 annual report. Each is shown below against its federal limit — 3 sit at or above that limit.
- Reporting year
- 2024
- Contaminants measured
- 28
- Over federal limit
- 3
- Approaching the limit
- 1
- Worst contaminant
- PFOS
- Service area
- NV
PFAS ("forever chemicals")
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFOSPerfluorooctanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in firefighting foam and coatings. | 20 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorohexanesulfonic acidPerfluorohexanesulfonic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 15 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | At or above the limit |
| PFOAPerfluorooctanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical' once used in nonstick and stain-resistant products. | 5.5 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | At or above the limit |
| Perfluorobutanesulfonic acidPerfluorobutanesulfonic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 5.7 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acidPerfluoroheptanoic acid, a PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 3.9 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluorohexanoic acidPerfluorohexanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 12 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| Perfluoropentanoic acidPerfluoropentanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 13 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
| PFBAPerfluorobutanoic acid, a shorter-chain PFAS 'forever chemical.' | 6.8 ng/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Disinfection byproducts
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| HAA5Haloacetic acids — a group of five disinfection byproducts formed when disinfectants react with organic matter. | 54 ug/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Approaching the limit |
| TTHMTotal trihalomethanes — a group of four chemicals (including chloroform) formed when chlorine reacts with natural organic matter. | 54 ug/LMaximumSystem-wide | None set | Within the limit |
Disinfectants
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| ChlorineA disinfectant added to drinking water to kill bacteria and viruses. | 1.51 mg/LMaximumSystem-wide | 4 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Metals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| CopperA metal that enters water from corroding household plumbing. | 0.312 mg/LMaximumAt the tap | 1.3 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| BariumA metal from erosion of natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.02182 mg/LAverageSystem Weighted | 2 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| ArsenicA naturally occurring element that also enters water from industry and agriculture. | 0.07555 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Antimony | 0.01221 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | None set | Within the limit |
| SeleniumA trace element from natural deposits and industrial discharge. | 0.02489 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | None set | Within the limit |
| LeadA toxic metal that leaches into water from old service lines, solder, and plumbing fixtures. | Not detected ug/LReported levelAt the tap | 0 ug/LMCLG | None detected |
| LithiumA naturally occurring element found in some groundwater. | 18.2 ug/LMaximumValue Detected | None set | Detected — no federal limit |
Physical & aggregate
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TurbidityA measure of cloudiness from suspended particles in the water. | 0.135 NTUHighest single sampleSystem Weighted | None set | Within the limit |
Inorganic chemicals
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| NitrateA compound from fertilizer runoff, septic systems, and erosion of natural deposits. | 0.1303 mg/LAverageSystem Weighted | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Radionuclides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| UraniumA naturally occurring radioactive metal from erosion of natural deposits. | 0.17475 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Gross AlphaGross alpha particle activity — a combined measure of alpha-emitting radioactive substances. | 0.04137 pCi/LAverageSystem Weighted | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Combined RadiumCombined radium-226 and radium-228 — naturally occurring radioactive elements. | 0.00847 pCi/LAverageSystem Weighted | 0 pCi/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Other
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate Nitrite | 0.05805 mg/LAverageSystem Weighted | 10 mg/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| Chromium | 0.02584 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | None set | Within the limit |
VOCs & pesticides
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrichloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (TCE) used in metal degreasing. | 0.00406 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
| TetrachloroethyleneAn industrial solvent (PCE) used in dry cleaning and degreasing. | 0.00187 ug/LAverageSystem Weighted | 0 ug/LMCLG | Within the limit |
Microbial
| Contaminant | Measured | Federal limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total ColiformA group of bacteria used as an indicator of overall water-system sanitation. | 0Reported levelSystem-wide | None set | None detected |
People also ask about Reno, NV's water
+Is Reno, NV tap water safe to drink in 2024?
The 2024 Consumer Confidence Report for the Reno, NV water utility lists 3 contaminants at or above the federal limit: PFOS, Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, and PFOA. 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 Reno, NV tap water?
28 contaminants were measured in Reno, NV's 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, spanning pfas ("forever chemicals"), metals, and radionuclides. 12 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 Reno, NV tap water?
3 contaminants in Reno, NV's 2024 report sit at or above the federal limit: PFOS (5.0× the limit); Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (1.5× the limit); PFOA (1.4× 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 Reno, NV tap water?
The contaminant with the highest measured value relative to its federal limit in the 2024 report is PFOS, at 5.0× the federal threshold. It belongs to the pfas ("forever chemicals") family of contaminants.
+Are any contaminants in Reno, NV tap water approaching the federal limit?
One contaminant is between 80% and 100% of the federal limit in this report: HAA5. 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 Reno, NV's 2024 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 Reno, 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 2024 report; a new report will replace it once the utility publishes its next annual update.