Sparks, NV: 18 Violations — 79/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Throughout Sparks and across its water systems, EPA compliance data for NV shows above-average performance — violations are minimal, none of the tracked systems have recorded repeated MCL exceedances in recent cycles, and the safety picture has held steady across multiple reporting periods.
How Sparks Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Sparks, NV
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Sparks score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Sparks Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 18 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 36% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,917 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.9.
Who Supplies Your Water in Sparks
Residential addresses in Sparks, NV are served by 3 primary water providers out of 5 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Sparks, Nevada (population ~130,645), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 461,805 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Sparks: B (79/100)
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
Sparks water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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): 6 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 | 7 | 6 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 89431 | C | 3 | 0 | TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY |
| 89432 | B | 3 | 0 | Canyon Gid |
| 89434 | B | 3 | 0 | TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY |
| 89435 | B | 3 | 0 | Canyon Gid |
| 89436 | B | 3 | 0 | TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY |
| 89441 | B | 3 | 0 | TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY |
All ZIP Codes in Sparks
- 89431 [C] — 3 violations
- 89432 [B] — 3 violations
- 89434 [B] — 3 violations
- 89435 [B] — 3 violations
- 89436 [B] — 3 violations
- 89441 [B] — 3 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.
Health Outcomes in Sparks
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
Top Contaminants in Sparks Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Sparks
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
Some cities skew heavily toward one construction era; Sparks does not. The median build year of 1993 reflects a housing stock where older and newer homes share the market in meaningful proportions. That mixed profile means the city carries moderate aggregate plumbing-era risk — with older homes, particularly those built before 1986, representing the portion of the stock where lead-soldered joints may still be present.
Most homes in Sparks 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Sparks Homeowners
In Sparks, property values comfortably outpace what documented remediation typically costs — the equity share is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Sparks are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,033–$3,017 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% above the Nevada average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Sparks
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.
36% of Sparks housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Sparks
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Sparks accumulating 260 claims and carrying 67% 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.
Sparks has a moderate flood history with 260 FEMA claims averaging $28,753 per payout. 67% 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>$1,917</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 Sparks, NV