Reno, NV: 24 Health Violations - 80/100 (2026)
24 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Reno: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (24 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Drinking water tracked for Reno by NV authorities posts above-average scores - the majority of systems are free from health-based exceedances and the city's grade sits above the state median.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Reno Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 48 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
Water Quality in Reno
We track water quality and home safety data for 24 ZIP codes in Reno, Nevada, covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 322,956 people.
24 of 24 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 48 total, including 24 health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: B (80/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 24 | 24 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 24 | 24 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L
- 41% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 5% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1991
- Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 28/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 12%
- 2 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 41% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Reno residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
139,364 total housing units across 24 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 3,601 | 3% |
| 1940–1949 | 3,835 | 3% |
| 1950–1959 | 7,149 | 5% |
| 1960–1969 | 11,399 | 8% |
| 1970–1979 | 25,970 | 19% |
| 1980–1989 | 19,400 | 14% |
| 1990–1999 | 23,508 | 17% |
| 2000–2009 | 28,113 | 20% |
| 2010–2019 | 13,893 | 10% |
| 2020+ | 2,496 | 2% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Reno:
- 460 flood insurance claims on record
- $12,034,834 total paid out
- $26,163 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 7 of 24 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 24 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89504 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89505 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89507 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89508 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89510 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89512 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89513 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89515 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89520 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
| 89533 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 89506 | 72/100 | B | 2 |
| 89502 | 72/100 | B | 2 |
| 89523 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89521 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89519 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89511 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89509 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89503 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89501 | 77/100 | B | 2 |
| 89599 | 82/100 | B | 2 |
What Reno Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Reno has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Reno is in a moderate-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Reno
- 89501 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89502 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89503 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89504 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89505 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89506 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89507 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89508 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89509 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89510 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89511 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89512 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89513 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89515 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89519 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89520 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89521 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89523 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89533 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89555 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89557 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89570 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89595 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
- 89599 [B] - 2 violations ⚠
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Reno, NV?
Reno has an average Home Safety Score of 80/100 (grade B) across 24 ZIP codes. There are 48 recorded EPA violations, 24 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Reno have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Reno is 0.0010 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 41% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Reno at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 460 flood insurance claims in Reno ZIP codes, with an average payout of $26,163. 7 of 24 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Reno homes?
41% of Reno housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 5% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 12%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Reno water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Lead, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Across 24 ZIP codes, 24 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Reno Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
For most of Reno's housing stock, construction occurred after 1986 - when lead solder in plumbing was federally prohibited. The median build year of 1991 broadly reflects that newer profile.
Most homes in Reno were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Reno: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Reno appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Reno: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Reno accumulating 460 claims and carrying 0% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones - evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Reno has a moderate flood history with 460 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Reno, NV