Table of Contents
Can You Drink Tap Water in Sparks?
Yes, Sparks's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Sparks has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page, the city's water provider website, or Sparks's local Twitter account.
According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Sparks's water utility, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. This assessment is based on the Truckee Meadows Water Authority water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.
While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.
The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.
Water Quality Report for Sparks Tap Water
The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Sparks tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.
Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.
EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.
There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.
We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Sparks's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.
Sparks Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years
Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Truckee Meadows Water Authority for Sparks in Nevada. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.
Is there Lead in Sparks Water?
Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Sparks water system, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.0 mg/L of lead in Sparks water. This is 0% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Sparks contained more lead.
While Sparks water testing may have found 0.0 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.
No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.
Are there PFAS in Sparks Tap Water?
Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be at least one military base - Reno Tahoe International Airport - near Sparks with suspected leaks.
With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Sparks has been evaluated for yet.
Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.
What do these Violations Mean?
Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.
Health Based Violations
- Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
- Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
- Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.
Non-Health Based Violations
- Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
- Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
- Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.
SDWA Table Key
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Compliance Period | Dates of the compliance period. |
| Status |
Current status of the violation.
|
| Health-Based? | Whether the violation is health based. |
| Category Code |
The category of violation that is reported.
|
| Code | A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table. |
| Contaminant Code | A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation. |
| Rule Code |
Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
|
| Rule Group Code |
Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
|
| Rule Family Code |
Code for rule family.
|
For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.
Sparks Water - Frequently Asked Questions
| By Mail: | PO BOX 30013 TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER RENO, NV, 89520 |
Existing customers can login to their Truckee Meadows Water Authority account to pay their Sparks water bill by clicking here.
If you want to pay your Truckee Meadows Water Authority bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Sparks water bill.
If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Sparks water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.
Moving to a new house or apartment in Sparks means you will often need to put the water in your name with Truckee Meadows Water Authority. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.
Leaving your house or apartment in Sparks means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Truckee Meadows Water Authority. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.
The estimated price of bottled water
$1.96 in USD (1.5-liter)
USER SUBMITTED RATINGS
- Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility
- Water Pollution
- Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility
- Water Quality
The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Sparks, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).
Related FAQS
Sparks Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)
The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Sparks's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.
TRUCKEE MEADOWSWaterATER AUTHORITY
2021 Quality Report
Data collected for 2020 calendar year
Our Promise to You: Quality. Delivered.
Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) is dedicated to providing reliable service and delivering
This report is based on data collected in the 2020 calendar year, contains information about the source of your drinking water and how it compares to drinking water standards established by the EPA. If you would like a print copy mailed to you, please call Water Quality
& Environmental Permit Supervisor Kelli Burgess at (775)
Information in this report reinforces TMWA’s standing among the nation’s leaders in water
If you have any questions about your water quality, please call our Water Quality Department at (775)
Yours in good health,
Mark Foree, General Manager
A great source combined with a great team makes for a
Lake Tahoe, famous for its clarity and quality, and the Truckee River system are our region’s primary sources of drinking water. However, no matter how clear and pure a water source is, it still takes highly skilled and trained scientists, engineers, and operators to supply, treat, and deliver
What regulations does TMWA water meet?
TMWA adheres to all federal, state, and local water regulations set forth by the Environmental Protection Agency, State of Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, and the Washoe County Health District. TMWA is required to monitor and meet regulatory standards for more than one hundred contaminants. All water delivered to customers is treated and must adhere to some of the strictest drinking water regulations in the world.
TMWA is a
TEST RESULTS: 2020 WATER QUALITY DATA
The table below lists all the primary regulated drinking water contaminants that TMWA detected during the 2020 calendar year. The presence of contaminants in the water does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. Unless otherwise noted, the data presented in this
table are from testing done January 1 – December 31, 2020. The EPA or the state requires us to monitor for certain contaminants less than once per year because of the consistently low, or
CONTAMINANTS
MCLG OR
MRDLG
MCL, TT,
OR MRDL Result
System
Weighted
Average
Range Range Sample
Low High Date
Violation? Typical Source
DISINFECTANTS & DISINFECTION
Chlorine (as Cl2) (ppm) |
4 |
4 |
1.02 |
NA |
0.15 |
1.57 |
2020 |
No |
Water additive used to control microbes |
|
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb) |
NA |
60 |
24 |
NA |
ND |
39 |
2020 |
No |
||
TTHMs [Total Trihalomethanes] (ppb) |
NA |
80 |
37 |
NA |
1 |
44 |
2020 |
No |
||
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Antimony (ppb) |
6 |
6 |
2.21 |
0.029 |
ND |
5.28 |
2020 |
No |
Discharge from petroleum refineries; fire retardants; |
|
ceramics; electronics; solder; test addition. |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Arsenic (ppb) |
0 |
10 |
8.52 |
0.37 |
ND |
14.1 |
2020 |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff |
|
from glass and electronics production wastes |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Barium (ppm) |
2 |
2 |
0.119 |
0.019 |
0.0136 |
0.119 |
2020 |
No |
Discharge of drilling wastes; Discharge from metal |
|
refineries; Erosion of natural deposits |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Chromium (ppb) |
100 |
100 |
7.22 |
0.014 |
ND |
7.22 |
2020 |
No |
Discharge from steel and pulp mills; Erosion of natural |
|
deposits |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Nitrate [measured as Nitrogen] (ppm) |
10 |
10 |
4.16 |
0.104 |
ND |
4.16 |
2020 |
No |
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, |
|
sewage; Erosion of natural deposits |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
10 |
10 |
2.84 |
0.109 |
ND |
2.84 |
2020 |
No |
Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, |
||
(ppm) |
sewage; Erosion of natural deposits |
|||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||
MICROBIOLOGICAL CONTAMINANTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Coliform (RTCR) |
NA |
TT |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
2020 |
No |
Naturally present in the environment |
|
|
100% of the samples were below the TT value of 0.3 NTU. A value less than 95% constitutes a TT |
|
||||||||
Turbidity (NTU) |
violation. The highest single measurement was 0.046 NTU. Any measurement in excess of 1 NTU |
Soil runoff |
||||||||
|
is a violation unless otherwise approved by the state. |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
RADIOACTIVE CONTAMINANTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined Uranium (ppb) |
0 |
30 |
2.94 |
0.0133 |
ND |
2.94 |
2020 |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits |
|
Alpha Particles (pCi/L) |
0 |
15 |
12 |
0.209 |
4.0 |
12 |
2020 |
No |
Erosion of natural deposits |
|
SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS INCLUDING PESTICIDES AND HERBICIDES |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Dalapon (ppb) |
200 |
200 |
0.51 |
0.00171 |
ND |
0.51 |
2020 |
No |
Runoff from herbicides used on right of ways |
|
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (ppb) |
50 |
50 |
0.061 |
0.0002 |
ND |
0.061 |
2020 |
No |
Discharge from chemical factories |
|
VOLATILE ORGANIC CONTAMINANTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Trichloroethylene (ppb) |
0 |
5 |
1.18 |
0.00873 |
ND |
1.18 |
2020 |
No |
Discharge from metal degreasing sites and other factories |
|
Tetrachloroethylene (ppb) |
0 |
5 |
2.02 |
0.0095 |
ND |
2.02 |
2020 |
No |
Discharge from factories and dry cleaners |
|
CONTAMINANTS |
|
Action |
Your |
|
# of Samples |
|
MCLG |
Level |
Water |
Sample Date |
Exceeding Action Level |
||
INORGANIC CONTAMINANTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Copper - action level at consumer taps |
1.3 |
1.3 |
0.106 |
2019 |
0 |
|
(ppm) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
Lead - action level at consumer taps |
0 |
15 |
ND |
2019 |
0 |
|
(ppb) |
||||||
|
|
|
|
|
||
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADDITIONAL MONITORING: Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR4)
Exceeds Action |
|
|
Level? |
Typical Source |
|
No |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; |
|
Erosion of natural deposits |
||
|
||
No |
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; |
|
Erosion of natural deposits |
||
|
As part of an ongoing evaluation program the EPA has required us to monitor some additional contaminants/chemicals through the UCMR program. Information collected through the monitoring of these contaminants/chemicals will help to ensure that future decisions on drinking water standards are based on sound science.
CONTAMINANTS
Germanium (ppb)
Manganese (ppb)
Highest Value
Detected
0.67
21
Sample
Date
2020
2020
Range
Low
ND
ND
Range |
|
High |
Typical Source |
0.67
21 in steel production, fertilizer, batteries and fireworks; drinking water and wastewater treatment chemical; essential nutrient
VIOLATIONS: This water system had no violations during the 2020 calendar year.
UNIT DESCRIPTIONS
Term ug/L ppm ppb
NTU
Definition
Number of micrograms of substance in one liter of water
Parts per million, or milligrams per liter (mg/L) Parts per billion, or micrograms per liter (µg/L)
Nephelometric Turbidity Units. Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of the water. We monitor it because it is a good indicator of the effectiveness of our filtration system.
Term
% positive samples/month
NA
ND
NR
Definition
Percent of samples taken monthly that were positive
Not applicable
Not detected
Monitoring not required
IMPORTANT DRINKING WATER DEFINITIONS
Term
MCLG
MCL
TT
AL
Variances and Exemptions
MRDLG
MRDL
Definition
Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.
Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best avail- able treatment technology.
Treatment Technique: A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.
Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements which a water system must follow. State or EPA permission not to meet an MCL or a treatment technique under certain conditions.
Maximum residual disinfection level goal. The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.
Maximum residual disinfectant level. The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.
NOTES: SYSTEM WEIGHTED AVERAGE: The 2021 Water Quality Report is mandated by the EPA to give our consumers the highest recorded value of any constituent detected from all sources in 2020. However, most groundwater wells, where most of our reported constituents were detected, are only used when system demands are at their
ARSENIC/THM/HAA/ANTIMONY: Compliance for these constituents is determined by calculating the running annual average. Sampling is conducted on either a daily or quarterly basis at designated locations. A corresponding quarterly average is determined from these samples, and the running annual average is calculated by using the four most recent quarterly averages. A single sample may show that an individual result is over the MCL but the compliance value remains below it. All water meets all local, state, and federal standards and is safe to drink.
HEALTH INFORMATION ABOUT WATER QUALITY
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION FOR ARSENIC
Your drinking water meets EPA standards for arsenic, although it does contain low levels. EPA standards balance the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. The EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.
Some people who drink water containing antimony well in excess of the MCL over many years, experience increases in blood cholesterol and decreases in blood sugar.
Nitrate concentration in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm poses a health risk for infants younger than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, you should ask for advice from your health care provider.
ADDITIONAL WATER QUALITY INFORMATION
Total organic carbon (TOC) has no health effects. However, TOC provides a medium for the formation of disinfection by- products. These
WATER TREATMENT PLANT FILTER LOADING RATE
After satisfactory demonstration, TMWA has been granted approval by the State of Nevada Bureau of Safe Drinking Water to operate the Glendale Water Treatment Plant at the accelerated filter loading rate up to 7.5 gallons per minute (gpm)/square foot and the Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant at up to 8.5 gpm/square foot under the conditions that while operating at the accelerated filter loading rate, no individual filter at either plant may exceed 0.2 NTU, and the Chalk Bluff combined filter turbidity may not exceed 0.2 NTU.
TREATMENT PROCESS FOCUSES ON HEALTH
The water delivered to your tap meets all US EPA and State of Nevada drinking water health standards. It undergoes a multistage treatment process and is rigorously tested daily. Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immunocompromised
The EPA/CDC has guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants. More information about these and other contaminants and their potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at (800)
WHY ARE THERE CONTAMINANTS IN MY DRINKING WATER?
Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that the water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline (800)
include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or human activity.
Contaminants that may be present in source water include:
- Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations, and wildlife
- Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining, or farming
- Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources, including agriculture, urban stormwater runoff, and residential uses
-
Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are
by-products of industrial processes and petroleum production and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff, and septic systems - Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or the result of oil and gas production or mining activities
To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water to provide the same protection for public health.
REQUIRED CONSUMER CONFIDENCE REPORT (CCR) STATEMENT ADDRESSING LEAD IN DRINKING WATER
If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. TMWA is responsible for providing
SOURCE WATER ASSESSMENT AND ITS AVAILABILITY
The Federal Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in 1996 and requires states to develop and implement source water assessment programs to analyze existing and potential threats to the quality of public drinking water. A summary of TMWA’s susceptibility to potential sources of contamination was initially provided by Nevada in 2003. Information pertaining to the initial findings of the source water assessment is available for viewing in person at the offices of the Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, 901 South Stewart St., Ste. 4001, Carson City, NV 89701. Appointments are suggested; please call (775)
WHERE CAN I GET WATER QUALITY DATA?
The Water Quality section of our website, www.tmwa.com, provides water quality information for different areas of our service territory. We also maintain a news and information page with fact sheets on water quality issues. Additional information on our water sources, distribution, and treatment can also be found online. If you have questions or need more information, please contact any of the following staff:
ANDY GEBHARDT | Director, Operations and Water Quality (775)
WILL RAYMOND | Manager, Operations and Water Quality (775)
KELLI BURGESS | Supervisor, Water Quality & Environmental Permitting
(775)
(775)
BRETT COFFMAN | Microbiologist (775)
JENNIE FONG BUCHANAN | Associate Chemist
(775)
RYAN MALKIEWICH | Associate Chemist (775)
KAYLA DAY | Associate Microbiologist (775)
MAYA
Fleish Dam
Contaminants
Truckee Meadows Water Authority
EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.
Utility details
- Serves: 311932
- Data available: 2012-2017
- Data Source: Surface water
- Total: 31
Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines
- Arsenic
- Bromodichloromethane
- Chloroform
- Chromium (hexavalent)
- Dibromochloromethane
- Dichloroacetic acid
- Nitrate
- Nitrate and nitrite
- Tetrachloroethylene (perchloroethylene)
- Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)
- Trichloroacetic acid
- Uranium
Other Detected Contaminants
- 1%2C1-Dichloroethylene
- 1%2C4-Dioxane
- 2%2C4-D
- Antimony
- Barium
- Bromoform
- Chlorate
- Chromium (total)
- Dibromoacetic acid
- Fluoride
- Haloacetic acids (HAA5)
- Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
- Manganese
- Mercury (inorganic)
- Molybdenum
- Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
- Strontium
- Trichloroethylene
- Vanadium
Reminder
Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.