States › Nevada › Washoe County

Washoe County, NV Water Quality

Water quality data for 11 public water systems serving Washoe County, Nevada — based on EPA SDWIS enforcement records, lead testing results, and health-based violation history.

📅 2026 Report 🔄 Data updated 2026 Q2 📍 11 water systems · 16 cities
⚠️
Caution Advised — Some Systems Need Attention

Some systems have elevated lead levels or active violations. Check your specific city below.

C

Washoe County Earns a C

Washoe County: 16 communities across 11 water systems. 81.3% have no open violations.

  • Median lead where detected: 1.40 ppb
  • 7 communities with a lead detection, 9 reporting none detected
  • 5 communities with PFAS above the federal limit
  • 15 with significant inspection deficiencies
  • 81.3% of communities have no open violations
1.4 ppb
Median Lead Level
County-wide, 90th percentile
11
Water Systems
Active CWS & NTNCWS
81%
Violation-Free
No active violations on record
How we grade counties: MyWaterIQ uses EPA SDWIS enforcement data — actual MCL violations and lead test results — not the aspirational MCLG targets used by some sites. A grade reflects real compliance history, not theoretical risk. Learn more →

Cities by Water Quality

⭐ Best Performing
  • Sun Valley
    2.00 ppb
    No federal limits exceeded on record
    A
  • Incline Village
    1.40 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • Verdi
    Not detected
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • Crystal Bay
    1.40 ppb
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
  • Empire
    Not detected
    1 significant inspection deficiency
    B
⚠ Needs Attention
  • Sutcliffe
    3.00 ppb
    2 violations currently open
    F
  • Wadsworth
    1.00 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Nixon
    1.00 ppb
    1 violation currently open
    D
  • Reno
    Not detected
    PFAS above the limit at 4 of 68 sampling points
    D
  • Sparks
    Not detected
    PFAS above the limit at 4 of 68 sampling points
    D
County Lead Level — Median 1.4 ppb
Based on most recent 90th percentile lead tests across all reporting systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
County median: 1.4 ppb — 9.3% of the federal action level
Systems by Lead Level
Under 5 ppb
7
No Data
9

All Cities in Washoe County

Reno Not detected D
Sparks Not detected D
Sun Valley 2.00 ppb A
Spanish Springs Not detected B
Cold Springs Not detected B
Incline Village 1.40 ppb B
Lemmon Valley Not detected D
Golden Valley Not detected D
Mogul Not detected D
Wadsworth 1.00 ppb D
Verdi Not detected B
Crystal Bay 1.40 ppb B
Nixon 1.00 ppb D
Gerlach 2.00 ppb C
Sutcliffe 3.00 ppb F
Empire Not detected B
Showing 16 cities
No active violations Active violations

About Washoe County Drinking Water

Washoe County is served by 11 water systems covering 16 communities. 81% have no open violations.

Of the communities reporting lead results, 7 recorded a detection, with a median of 1.40 ppb — 9% of the federal action level. 9 reported none detected, which means below the laboratory limit rather than an absence of lead.

5 of 16 communities have PFAS above the limits EPA set in 2024, measured as a running annual average at each sampling point. State inspectors recorded significant deficiencies at 15 of them.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Washoe County tap water safe to drink?▼
81% of communities have no open violation. 5 of 16 have PFAS above the federal limit, which is the main open concern.
What is the lead level in Washoe County?▼
Among communities with a detection the median is 1.40 ppb, 9% of the 15 ppb action level. 9 reported none detected and 0 reported no result.
How many water systems serve Washoe County?▼
11 community water systems serve 16 communities here.
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