Reno, NV: 24 Health Violations — 80/100 (2026)
24 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
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.
How Reno Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Reno, NV
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Reno's 24 ZIP codes.
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.
- Estimated remediation: $1,775 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.53.
Reno's Water Providers
In Reno, NV, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 6 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
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. 24 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Reno: B (80/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Reno water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 25 | 24 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 25 | 24 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89501 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89502 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89503 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89504 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89505 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89506 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89507 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89508 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89509 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
| 89510 | B | 2 | 1 | Truckee Meadows Water Authority |
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 ⚠
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Reno Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Reno's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Reno
How much of a Reno home's value does documented remediation represent? A small fraction — the equity share here is in the low tier, and from a household financial perspective, most property owners are considering a commitment that fits comfortably within standard planning rather than a decision that rises to the level of a material budget event or significant equity consideration.
Remediation costs in Reno are relatively low compared to home values. The $867–$2,942 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 41% above the Nevada average.
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 58% 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 averaging $13,083 per payout. 58% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,775</strong> remediation cost per household.
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