01The verdict: is Carlin water safe?
Carlin's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,500 residents using groundwater (wells).
2 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓Check back after the next refresh
EPA data updates on a rolling basis; we fold in new samples and violations every month.
Get alerts ↓Carlin's drinking water received a grade of A- (89 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,500 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 5 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Carlin ranks #22 out of 63 cities in Nevada for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Carlin relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff. As a small community water system, Carlin may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Carlin's water
Every contaminant flagged in Carlin, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Nevada
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Nevada
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Carlin's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 5 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
9 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 2 ppb since 1994. Latest reading: 4 ppb (2025) — 27% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Carlin's water comes from
Carlin's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,500 people
Residents served across Carlin's service area.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals. Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,500 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CARLIN UTILITIES | NV0000014 | 2,500 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Carlin
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Carlin's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
5 facilities within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Elko County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Elko County is in D4 (exceptional drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Carlin compares
Scores for nearby Nevada cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Nevada average (58/100)
Carlin scores 89/100 — above the Nevada average of 58/100. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities. Full Nevada rankings →
39.8 / 100FReno, NV
29.3 / 100ANorth Las Vegas, NV
92.8 / 100DHenderson, NV
51.8 / 100DCarson City, NV
49.1 / 100DMesquite, NV
46.6 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Carlin's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Carlin's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Carlin alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Carlin, NV tap water safe to drink?
Carlin's water quality earned a grade of A- (89/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #22 out of 63 cities tested in Nevada.
What contaminants are in Carlin's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Carlin's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Carlin?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Carlin's water come from?
Carlin's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,500 residents.
What health violations has Carlin's water system had?
Carlin has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2018. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Carlin's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Carlin uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 5 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Carlin's water compare to other cities?
Carlin ranks #22 out of 63 cities in Nevada (better than 65% of state cities) and #3093 out of 15382 cities nationally (80th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Carlin's small water system affect quality?
Carlin's system serves approximately 2,500 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 5 violations on record.