The Water We Drink
Understanding Water Quality Standards
While many countries specify water quality standards for their own nations, not all standards come with a legal basis for enforcement. The United States does, and enforcement is based on regulations within the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Safe Drinking Water Act.
Under this Act, over 90 contaminants in drinking water are monitored with defined limits to protect human health. The Act also gives each state the opportunity to set and enforce their own drinking water standards, but only if the minimum standards are as stringent as the EPA’s.
In Nevada, the Act is enforced by the Nevada Department of Environmental Protection, which is responsible for licensing and overseeing public water systems in the state. The EPA mandates that all monitoring results be available to the public. Click here to read TMWA's Annual Water Quality Reports.
Do water quality rules ever change?
Yes, every five years the EPA uses the Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR) to determine if any new contaminants should be regulated under the Safe Water Drinking Act. In this way, new chemicals in the environment that have the potential to impact human health can be identified and science-based approaches defined for treatment.
How Water Gets Delivered
Water distribution systems are a multi-faceted series of pipes, pumps, valves, storage tanks, reservoirs, and meters that carry drinking water from centralized treatment plants or wells to consumer taps. A well-run distribution system ensures consistent delivery of high-quality water with sufficient water pressure for residential, businesses and industrial users.
As the largest drinking water company in the Truckee Meadows, Truckee Meadows Water Authority's (TMWA) distribution system is comprised of two surface water treatment plants, (with a third coming online in 2021), 81 groundwater production wells, more than 2,600 miles of water main pipelines, 93 booster pump stations, 140 pressure regulator stations, 92 storage tanks and two treated water reservoirs. The system is continually maintained, with routine replacements and upgrades to keep an uninterrupted supply of high-quality water flowing to its customers.
Each year, the system’s pipes and facilities are assessed for rehabilitation. Investment planned for infrastructure maintenance and replacement is a continual process. For example, since TMWA was formed in June 2001, approximately $600 million has been invested in making the system more efficient, diverse, and dependable. TMWA’s approach to investment in its drinking water system can be found here in this Capital Improvement Plan.
Regional Drinking Water Providers
The largest provider of drinking water in the Truckee Meadows is Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA), which serves approximately 425,000 people in the region. It is a community-owned utility, governed by a Board of Directors comprised of elected representatives from Reno, Sparks and Washoe County.
Large or small, all community drinking water systems must comply with the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Water Drinking Act and testing is consistently monitored by Washoe County Health District and the State of Nevada. Water Quality Reports are required annually, in fulfillment of all federal, state and county requirements.
While there are many smaller drinking water companies in the metropolitan and outlying areas, Great Basin Water Company (GBWC) and Sun Valley General Improvement District (SVGID) provide water to the majority of the people not served by TMWA.
Participate and Learn
April 2026
Thursday, April 2nd Water Supply Outlook for the Truckee Meadows
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
What do the recent snowpack measurements mean for our local water supply and for this summer’s irrigation season? Kara Steeland, TMWA’s Senior Hydrologist & Watershed Coordinator, will provide context and answer questions about projected river flows and TMWA’s integrated water management approach.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/88559963509
Wednesday, April 8 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (In-person Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, April 15 - Start-up Irrigation Systems (Virtual Workshop)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
Designed to help you confidently bring your residential irrigation system back online after the cold, winter months. Join Truckee Meadows Water Authority in this one-hour session to acquire the knowledge and skills to become your own lawn watering hero.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/82696143523
May 2026
Saturday, May 6 Smart About Water Day - Celebrating 25 Years of Local Water System Control
10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Idlewild Park's California Building
Join regional water resource agencies to learn how our regional water resources are managed. There will be activities and family-focused displays and presentations with food trucks onsite. Free to the community and timed to kick off the 25th anniversary for the formation of Truckee Meadows Water Authority!
Wednesday, May 20th Drip System Maintenance Made Easy
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capital Blvd.
Attendees will be introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential drip system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, May 27 Sprinkler Maintenance Made Easy (for sprinklers only!)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Capitol Blvd.
Get introduced to the basic concepts of operating, maintaining and repairing a typical residential sprinkler system.
Attendees must be a minimum of 10 years of age.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
June 2026
Wednesday, June 3 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 10 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, June 13 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
10 a.m. - 11 a.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 17 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2 p.m. - 3 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, June 24 Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant Tour
2:00 - 3:00 p.m. at Verdi Hyrdoelectric Power Plant, 0 Powerhouse Road
Customers are invited to tour the Verdi Hydroelectric Power Plant, which has been producing clean, renewable energy for 100 years. The tours are open to all TMWA customers. Each tour is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
September 2026
Tuesday, September 1 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
3:00 - 4:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 8 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 15 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Tuesday, September 22 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Saturday, September 26 Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant Tour
10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Chalk Bluff Water Treatment Plant
Tour with experts who will explain the water treatment and distribution processes, as well as discuss current challenges and answer your questions. Each session is limited to 20 people.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
October 2026
Wednesday, October 7 Winterize Your Irrigation System (in-person)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. at 1355 Captial Blvd.
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Please click HERE to RSVP at least 24 hours prior.
Wednesday, October 14 Winterize Your Irrigation System (virtual)
5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. on Zoom
Prepare your irrigation system for the cold. This workshop is designed to help equip you with the knowledge and skills needed to properly winterize a residential irrigation system.
Join the webinar: https://tmwa.zoom.us/j/84043366205
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