Washoe County, Nevada — public water systems

How does Washoe County compare with other Nevada counties?

Washoe County has the 3rd-most active public water systems among the 47 counties listed for active Nevada systems in EPA records; among the 22 with 3 or more systems, the median has 14. Its systems report 493,331 people served in total, the 2nd-largest county figure in the state and 14% of the statewide total. The average system here reports serving 7,708 people, about 40% above the Nevada average of 5,508. Population figures are what each system reports; people served by more than one system, such as a wholesaler and the town that buys from it, are counted by each.

Where does Washoe County's drinking water come from?

By primary water source, Washoe County's active systems draw on groundwater (60, 94%), surface water (2, 3.1%) and purchased surface water (2, 3.1%). Overall, 94% rely mainly on groundwater (including purchased groundwater) and 6.3% on surface water, compared with 88% and 12% across Nevada. Groundwater means the system draws its water from wells or springs fed by underground aquifers. The county's largest system, Truckee Meadows Water Authority, draws primarily on surface water.

What kinds of water systems operate in Washoe County?

Washoe County's active systems break down as 23 community systems (36%), 10 non-transient non-community systems (16%) and 31 transient non-community systems (48%). A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. A non-transient non-community water system regularly serves at least 25 of the same people for more than six months a year, but not where they live. Schools, factories, office buildings and hospitals with their own supply are typical examples. A transient non-community water system serves places where people do not stay long, such as gas stations and campgrounds, and regularly serves at least 25 people a day for at least 60 days a year. EPA lists their owner types as private (67%), local government (30%) and state government (3.1%).