01The verdict: is Round Mountain water safe?
Round Mountain's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C+ (69/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,450 residents using groundwater (wells).
Chlorate is over its legal limit
Measured at 240.0 µg/L against the EPA Lifetime HA of 210 µg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓1K people, 2 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓7 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Round Mountain's drinking water received a grade of C+ (69 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,450 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 8.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 87 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
Round Mountain ranks #46 out of 63 cities in Nevada for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Round Mountain 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. Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 3.00 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Round Mountain may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 7 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Round Mountain's water
Every contaminant flagged in Round Mountain, 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. | 8.0 | 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
03Round Mountain'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 87 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
4 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.
▲ Up 8 ppb since 2001. Latest reading: 8 ppb (2025) — 53% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Round Mountain's water comes from
Round Mountain'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.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
1,450 people
Residents served across Round Mountain'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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,450 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ROUND MOUNTAIN PUC | NV0004074 | 1,200 | Groundwater |
| CARVERS SMOKEY VALLEY RV AND MHP | NV0000218 | 250 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Round Mountain'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.
Flood & storm history
1 federal disaster declaration on record for Nye County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Nye County is in D2 (severe 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 Round Mountain compares
Scores for nearby Nevada cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Nevada average (58/100)
Round Mountain scores 69/100 — above the Nevada average of 58/100. It outscores 7 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 Round Mountain's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 8.0 ppb
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 Round Mountain 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 Round Mountain, NV tap water safe to drink?
Round Mountain's water quality earned a grade of C+ (69/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #46 out of 63 cities tested in Nevada.
What contaminants are in Round Mountain's water?
Lead was measured at 8.0 ppb (90th percentile). 87 violations are on record.
How is Round Mountain'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 Round Mountain?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Round Mountain's water come from?
Round Mountain's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,450 residents.
What health violations has Round Mountain's water system had?
Round Mountain has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.
Is Round Mountain's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Round Mountain 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 87 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 Round Mountain's water compare to other cities?
Round Mountain ranks #46 out of 63 cities in Nevada (better than 27% of state cities) and #10836 out of 15382 cities nationally (30th percentile). The grade of C+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.