01The verdict: is Walker River water safe?
Walker River's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D+ (52/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 662 residents using groundwater (wells).
16 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 1.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓49 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 ↓Walker River's drinking water received a grade of D+ (52 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 662 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 336 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
Walker River ranks #50 out of 63 cities in Nevada for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Walker River 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, Walker River may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 49 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Walker River's water
Every contaminant flagged in Walker River, 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. | 1.0 | 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
03Walker River'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 336 violations on record, including 11 health-based violations. 16 remain unresolved.
2 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 4 ppb since 1996. Latest reading: 1 ppb (2025) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Walker River's water comes from
Walker River'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 native american ownership.
662 people
Residents served across Walker River'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 662 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walker River Paiute Tribe | 093200360 | 662 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Walker River
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Walker River'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
2 federal disaster declarations on record for Mineral County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Walker River compares
Scores for nearby Nevada cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Nevada average (58/100)
Walker River scores 52/100 — below the Nevada average of 58/100. It outscores 6 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
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Walker River's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Walker River'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 →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Walker River 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 Walker River, NV tap water safe to drink?
Walker River's water quality earned a grade of D+ (52/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #50 out of 63 cities tested in Nevada.
What contaminants are in Walker River's water?
Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 336 violations are on record.
How is Walker River'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 Walker River?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Walker River's water come from?
Walker River's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 662 residents.
What health violations has Walker River's water system had?
Walker River has 11 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 16 violations remain unresolved.
Is Walker River's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Walker River 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 336 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 Walker River's water compare to other cities?
Walker River ranks #50 out of 63 cities in Nevada (better than 21% of state cities) and #12613 out of 15382 cities nationally (18th percentile). The grade of D+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Walker River's small water system affect quality?
Walker River's system serves approximately 662 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 336 violations on record.