Latest Testing Results (2024 Data)

• Lead Levels: TMWA was formally confirmed as a non-lead system under the EPA’s 2021 Lead and Copper Rule Revision (LCRR). The most recent lead testing (2022) returned not detected at consumer taps — the best possible outcome. No lead service lines are present in the TMWA distribution network.
• Arsenic Levels: The 2024 annual report shows a system average of 6.8 PPB and a maximum of 13.9 PPB — unchanged from previous years due to the geological nature of the contamination. While technically within EPA compliance through averaging, this exceeds the health guideline of 0 PPB. Arsenic is a known carcinogen with no safe level of exposure. Check our water quality checker for area-specific data.
• PFAS Detected (UCMR5): Low-level PFAS compounds were found in 2024 monitoring: PFPeA at 0.011 ppb, PFHxA at 0.0061 ppb, PFHxS at 0.0041 ppb, and PFBS at 0.0042 ppb. All are well below EPA MCLs of 4 ppt (0.004 ppb) for individual PFAS — though PFHxS and PFBS are close to this threshold. Our Nevada PFAS overview has more statewide context.
• Compliance Status: Reno’s water had zero violations in 2024, meeting all EPA and Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) standards. TMWA monitors more than 100 regulated contaminants and is ranked among the nation’s top-performing utilities by the Partnership for Safe Water.

Source Water Quality Challenges

• Truckee River System: Primary source (80%+ of supply) originates at Lake Tahoe and provides excellent base water quality. TMWA uses 3–9% of total river flow to meet customer needs. Three surface water treatment facilities — Chalk Bluff, Glendale, and a third facility that came online in recent years — treat this supply to a high standard.
• Groundwater Challenges: Aquifer sources contain naturally occurring arsenic due to Nevada’s volcanic geology. According to USGS surveys, Northern Nevada has the country’s highest arsenic concentrations in groundwater — a geological reality that no amount of treatment fully eliminates at source.
• Private Well Risk: 22% of private wells in Northern Nevada exceed EPA arsenic limits of 10 PPB, with some readings 80 times the federal standard, affecting an estimated 182,000 rural residents. If you use a private well, see our water quality resources and consider independent testing.

Treatment Technology & Byproducts

• Award-Winning Treatment: TMWA’s Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant is nationally recognised by the Partnership for Safe Water for exceptional individual filter performance — one of the country’s highest-rated plants. The three facilities use multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, multi-media filtration, and chlorine disinfection.
• Disinfection Byproducts (2024): Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs) averaged 36 ppb (max 45 ppb; EPA limit 80 ppb) and Haloacetic Acids (HAA5s) averaged 22 ppb (max 26 ppb; EPA limit 60 ppb). Both are within legal limits but exceed EWG health guidelines. Chlorine is essential for microbial safety but creates these compounds when reacting with organic matter.
• Radioactive Contaminants: Alpha particles were detected at 11.1 pCi/L (EPA limit 15 pCi/L) and combined uranium at 9.6 ppb (EPA limit 30 ppb) — both within limits but worth noting for long-term health consideration. These arise from Nevada’s natural geology.
• Non-Lead System: Following completion of TMWA’s Service Line Inventory required under the 2021 LCRR, TMWA was formally confirmed as a non-lead system. Copper at consumer taps averaged 0.134 ppm — well below the 1.3 ppm action level.

Drought Resilience Infrastructure

• Upstream Reserves: Six upstream reservoirs provide dedicated drought storage, with detailed real-time levels tracked on TMWA’s upstream reserves tracker. These reserves provide multiple years of backup supply independent of annual snowpack.
• Aquifer Storage & Recovery: Treated surface water is injected into underground aquifers during wet periods for recovery during drought or peak summer demand — a key resilience tool for this high-desert region.
• Smart Water Management: Advanced metering infrastructure with real-time consumption monitoring and leak detection helps conserve water. Per capita water use has fallen significantly since 2000 through conservation programs.

Customer Support Programs

TMWA provides comprehensive customer assistance including free water efficiency evaluations, conservation incentive programs, and payment assistance for qualified residents. The utility’s Water Quality Department (775-834-8118) offers guidance on water quality questions, and printed copies of the annual Water Quality Report can be requested by calling Quality Assurance Officer Maya Hauk-Gliebe at (775) 834-8177. Residents should be aware that while Reno’s water met all legal standards in 2024, several contaminants exceed EWG health guidelines — making independent testing and filtration consideration worthwhile for those with health concerns. Stay updated on water quality alerts and check our live boil water notices tracker for any active advisories in Nevada.