Reno, Nevada Tap Water Quality Report
Serving utility: Truckee Meadows Water Authority
Updated March 2026 • Data from EWG Tap Water Database & EPA SDWIS
High Priority Concerns
Reno tap water has 17 contaminants exceeding EWG health guidelines, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9). Additionally, 17 known or suspected carcinogens were detected, including Arsenic, Haloacetic acids (HAA9), Haloacetic acids (HAA5).
Water Provider Information
Contaminants Detected
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EWG Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) | 0.70 ppt | 0.00 ppt | 10 ppt | Above guideline |
| Arsenic carcinogen | 2.16 ppb | 0.00 ppb | 10 ppb | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen | 21 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen | 19.70 ppb | 0.10 ppb | 60 ppb | Above guideline |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen | 26.60 ppb | 0.15 ppb | 80 ppb | Above guideline |
| Trichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 12.20 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Bromodichloromethane carcinogen | 3.32 ppb | 0.06 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chloroform carcinogen | 22.10 ppb | 0.40 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Dichloroacetic acid carcinogen | 7.50 ppb | 0.20 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Chromium (hexavalent) carcinogen | 0.58 ppb | 0.02 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Nitrate carcinogen | 1.45 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Dibromochloromethane carcinogen | 0.88 ppb | 0.10 ppb | No legal limit | Above guideline |
| Nitrate and nitrite carcinogen | 1.17 ppm | 0.14 ppm | 10 ppm | Above guideline |
| Uranium carcinogen | 1.63 pCi/L | 0.43 pCi/L | 20 pCi/L | Above guideline |
| Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene) | 0.19 ppb | 0.06 ppb | 5 ppb | Above guideline |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) | 0.08 pCi/L | 0.05 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Above guideline |
| Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) carcinogen | 0.14 ppt | 0.09 ppt | 4 ppt | Above guideline |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | 0.02 ppb | N/A | 7 ppb | Below guideline |
| 1,4-Dioxane carcinogen | 0.01 ppb | 0.35 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Antimony | 0.40 ppb | 1 ppb | 6 ppb | Below guideline |
| Barium | 49 ppb | 700 ppb | 2,000 ppb | Below guideline |
| Bromoform carcinogen | 0.34 ppb | 0.50 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chlorate | 58 ppb | 210 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Chromium (total) | 1.63 ppb | N/A | 100 ppb | Below guideline |
| Dibromoacetic acid | 0.03 ppb | 0.03 ppb | No legal limit | Near guideline |
| Fluoride | 0.01 ppm | N/A | 4 ppm | Below guideline |
| Germanium | 0.04 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Lithium | 1.44 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Manganese | 1.57 ppb | 100 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum | 1.27 ppb | 40 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Monochloroacetic acid | 0.03 ppb | 53 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) | 0.19 ppt | 2,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) | 0.06 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHPA) | 0.04 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorohexanoic Acid (PFHxA) | 0.38 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) carcinogen | 0.23 ppt | 0.30 ppt | 4 ppt | Near guideline |
| Perfluoropentanoic Acid (PFPeA) | 0.33 ppt | 1,000 ppt | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Selenium | 0.22 ppb | 30 ppb | 50 ppb | Below guideline |
| Strontium | 0.21 ppb | 1,500 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| Trichloroethylene | 0.09 ppb | 0.40 ppb | 5 ppb | Below guideline |
| Vanadium | 3.19 ppb | 21 ppb | No legal limit | Below guideline |
| o-toluidine | 0.00 ppb | N/A | No legal limit | Below guideline |
Health Context
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS)
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Arsenic carcinogen
Long-term exposure increases risk of skin cancer, bladder cancer, and lung cancer; chronic exposure causes neurological effects and cardiovascular disease.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) carcinogen
Exposure to elevated levels of this contaminant may pose health risks. See EWG and EPA guidelines for more information.
Recommended Filtration for This Water
Echo RO System
Reverse osmosis filtration removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, disinfection byproducts, and more. The gold standard for drinking water purification.
View RO SystemsEcho Whole-Home Filter
Filters water at every tap in your home. Reduces chlorine, VOCs, and disinfection byproducts from your shower, bath, and kitchen water.
View Whole-Home FiltersEcho Hydrogen Water Flask
Once your water is clean, supercharge it. Molecular hydrogen is the smallest, most bioavailable antioxidant — shown to reduce inflammation, boost energy, and support cellular health.
Shop Hydrogen FlaskFrequently Asked Questions
Is Reno tap water safe to drink?
Reno tap water meets EPA legal standards for drinking water. However, 17 contaminants exceed stricter EWG health guidelines, and 17 known carcinogens were detected. While legally compliant, additional filtration is recommended for optimal safety.
What contaminants are in Reno water?
A total of 42 contaminants were detected in Reno tap water, including Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS), Arsenic. Of these, 17 exceed EWG health guidelines.
What's the best water filter for Reno?
For Reno tap water, we recommend a reverse osmosis (RO) system for drinking water — it removes up to 99.9% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and disinfection byproducts. For shower and bath water, a whole-home filtration system reduces chlorine and volatile organics.
Where does Reno get its water?
Reno tap water is provided by Truckee Meadows Water Authority, serving approximately 442,000 people. For detailed source water information, contact your local utility or visit the EPA's SDWIS database.
Nearby City Water Reports
Data sources: Environmental Working Group (EWG) Tap Water Database, U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Last updated: March 2026
Methodology: Contaminant levels are compared against both EPA legal limits (Maximum Contaminant Levels) and EWG health guidelines, which are often stricter and based on the latest scientific research.
