Elko, NV Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Elko, NV — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Elko's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Elko City Of PWSID: NV0000272 Updated: 2026 Q2

⚠️

PFAS above the federal limit at 3 of 19 sampling points

Lead is 3.00 ppb, 20% of the action level and no violations are open. However, PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 3 of 19 sampling points, running as high as 7.25 times the limit.

Elko earns a D for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 3.00 ppb — 20% of the federal action level

PFAS above the federal limit at 3 of 19 sampling points

9 violations since 2015, 0 health-based

No violations currently open

Elko's lead level vs. all Nevada community water systems

0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb

Lead level: 3.00 ppb — 20% of the federal action level

✓ Lower lead than 24% of Nevada utilities

Population Served

19266

~8138 connections

Water Source

Groundwater

Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW

Active Violations

9 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)

90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system

20% of EPA action level

3.00 ppb

Action level: 15 ppb

The 90th-percentile lead result is 3.00 ppb, 20% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

Contaminant	Type	Measured	Limit	Period	Status
Combined Uranium	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	30 ug/L	2024	Resolved
Nitrate	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	10 mg/L	2022	Resolved
Nitrate	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	10 mg/L	2022	Resolved
TTHM	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.080 mg/L	2021–2022	Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.060 mg/L	2021–2022	Resolved
Nitrate	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	10 mg/L	2020	Resolved
TTHM	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.080 mg/L	2017	Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.060 mg/L	2017	Resolved
Trichloroethylene	MONITORING AND REPORTING	—	0.005 mg/L	2015	Resolved

Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

9 violations are on record since 2015, of which 0 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Elko City Of

PWSID NV0000272

Water source Groundwater — Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW

Population served 19,266

Service connections 8,138

Systems serving this area 1

Regulator State primacy agency

Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Elko tap water safe to drink? ▼

It meets most federal standards, but PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 3 of 19 sampling points. No violations are currently open. Lead is 3.00 ppb, 20% of the action level.

Does Elko water have PFAS? ▼

Yes. PFAS exceeds the federal limit at 3 of 19 sampling points, running as high as 7.25 times the limit. Limits are enforced on a running annual average at each sampling point, not on a single sample.

Who supplies water to Elko? ▼

Elko City Of (PWSID NV0000272). Groundwater. Drawn from wells — SDWIS source code GW

When was this system last inspected? ▼

It was last inspected on 2024-09-10. Inspectors recorded 3 significant deficiencies.

What Should Elko Residents Do?

Consider a reverse-osmosis filter

Reverse osmosis removes more than 95% of PFAS. Standard carbon pitchers do not.

Check for a lead service line

Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.

Flush before drinking

If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

Nearby Cities in Nevada

Spring Creek, Nv Tap Water Quality 2026 Elko West Wendover, Nv Tap Water Quality 2026 Elko Carlin, Nv Tap Water Quality 2026 Elko Wells, Nv Tap Water Quality 2026 Elko Jackpot, Nv Tap Water Quality 2026 Elko Owyhee, Nv Tap Water Quality 2026 Elko