Is there PFAS in Truckee Meadows Water Authority water?

Yes. EPA's final UCMR 5 results show Truckee Meadows Water Authority averaged 13.0 ppt of PFOS at its worst sampling point, 3.3 times the EPA limit of 4 ppt.

Truckee Meadows Water Authority is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Reno, Nevada, serving about 442,000 people, including Sparks, Sun Valley, Verdi, Reno. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 142 times across 68 sampling points between Jan 2023 and Sep 2025.

Every PFAS detected

Not detected: PFUnA, PFPeS, NFDHA, PFEESA, PFMBA, PFMPA, 8:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 6:2 FTS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, PFHpS, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, NMeFOSAA, PFDoA, PFDA, PFNA, PFTrDA, NEtFOSAA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, PFTA.

Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 100 ppb, detected in 15 of 142 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.

What the EPA limits mean here

In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.

Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.

What you can do at home

Two routes work for PFAS. For drinking and cooking water only, a reverse osmosis system certified to NSF/ANSI 58 with a PFOA/PFOS reduction claim is the cheapest proven option. To treat every tap and shower, a whole-house carbon system with enough contact time works, but check that the maker has PFAS test data, not just a marketing claim. See the best filters for PFAS and how PFAS removal works.

Other systems in Nevada

• North Las Vegas Utilities none detected
• City of Henderson none detected
• Carson City Public Works none detected
• Virgin Valley Water District none detected
• Fernley Public Works above an EPA limit
• City of Elko above an EPA limit

All 59 tested systems in Nevada

ZIP codes served

89431 89433 89434 89436 89439 89441 89501 89502 89503 89506 89508 89509 89511 89512 89519 89521 89523 89557 89595

As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.

Cite this page

Well & Tap. "PFAS in Truckee Meadows Water Authority water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID NV0000190. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/nevada/truckee-meadows-water-authority/

About this data

Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID NV0000190). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.