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Las Vegas Valley Water District - Las Vegas, NV

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Serves 1,181,263 people - Test data available: 2004-2008

This drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group (EWG) by the State water agency. It is part of EWG's national database that includes 47,667 drinking water utilities and 20 million test results. Water utilities nationwide detected more than 300 pollutants between 2004 and 2009. More than half of these chemicals are unregulated, legal in any amount. Despite this widespread contamination, the federal government invests few resources to protecting rivers, reservoirs, and groundwater from pollution in the first place. The information below summarizes test results for this utility and lists potential health concerns.

	This Drinking Water System	National Average
Exceed Health GuidelinesTests showing chemicals at concentrations above health guidelines established by federal and state health agencies. These guidelines are typically set at a levels that pose no significant health risk.	12 chemicals	4
Health Standard ExceedencesChemicals detected at concentrations above the legal limit, the Maximum Contaminant Level (MCLs) established by the U.S. EPA. Most MCLs are based on annual averages, so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.	0 chemicals	0.5
Pollutants FoundThe total number of contaminants detected since 2004, according to data provided by the state water agency.	30 chemicals	8
Tests ConductedThe total number of number of water quality tests conducted by water utilities and recorded in data provided by the state water agency.	9,352 tests	420

Contaminants Exceeding Health Guidelines

Contaminant	Average/ Maximum Result	Health Limit Exceeded	Legal Limit Exceeded	Testing History -Tested      -Detected      -Over Health Guidelines      -Over Legal Limit*
Combined Radium (-226 & -228)Radium is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	0.76 pCi/L 2.9 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	No 5 pCi/L
Arsenic (total)Arsenic contaminates drinking water due to mining runoff, erosion of natural deposits, emissions from glass and electronics processing and the use of arsenical compounds as wood preservatives and pesticides.	1.13 ppb 4 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No 10 ppb
Radium-226Radium-226 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	0.45 pCi/L 2.9 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	No 5 pCi/L
Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium)Alpha particles are a form of radiation associated with radioactive mining waste pollutants and natural sources.	1.56 pCi/L 4.59 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	No 15 pCi/L
Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalateDi(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate is a pollutant from rubber and industrial chemical factories and a leachate from PVC pipes; it is classified by EPA as a probable human carcinogen.	0.23 ppb 2.6 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No 6 ppb
Radium-228Radium-228 is a radioactive element usually found around uranium deposits.	0.24 pCi/L 1.62 pCi/L	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 pCi/L	No 5 pCi/L
Lead (total)Lead is a metal that enters water by corrosion of household plumbing systems, discharge of industrial pollution and erosion of natural deposits.	0.03 ppb 0.33 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No
Combined Uranium (mg/L)Uranium is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed uranium ore is used for power generation and weapons manufacture.	4.25 ppb 5.1 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No 30 ppb
RadonRadon is a radioactive breakdown product of radium and uranium in soil, rock and water; it is often present in groundwater.	206.34 pCi/L 276.67 pCi/L	Yes 1.5 pCi/L	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
Total haloacetic acids (HAAs)Total haloacetic acids refers to the sum of the concentrations of five related disinfection byproducts in a water sample: dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monochloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid.	27 ppb 27 ppb	Yes 0.7 ppb	No 60 ppb
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)Total trihalomethanes constitute the sum of four disinfection byproducts: chloroform, bromodichloromethane, dibromochloromethane, and bromoform.	62 ppb 62 ppb	Yes 9.8 ppb	No 80 ppb
BromateBromate is a carcinogenic disinfection byproduct of ozonation formed when source waters contain high levels of natural bromide; it can also form following water treatment with chlorine dioxide or hypochlorite.	6.35 ppb 6.35 ppb	Yes MCLGA non-enforceable health goal that is set at a level at which no known or anticipated adverse effect on the health of persons occurs and which allows an adequate margin of safety. Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.: 0 ppb	No 10 ppb
NOTE: Each dot in the above graph represents one month. * Water utilities are noted as exceeding the legal limit if any test is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Most MCLs are based on annual averages so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.

Other Detected Contaminants

Contaminant	Average/ Maximum Result	Health Limit Exceeded	Legal Limit Exceeded	Testing History -Tested      -Detected      -Over Health Guidelines      -Over Legal Limit*
NitrateNitrate enters drinking water sources from fertilizer runoff, leaching septic tanks, and erosion of natural deposits; it is also emitted by chemical, petrochemical and metal-finishing industries.	0.93 ppm 2.3 ppm	No 10 ppm	No 10 ppm
Nitrate & nitriteNitrate and nitrite enter water from fertilizer runoff, leaching from septic tanks, and erosion of natural deposits.	0.89 ppm 2.3 ppm	No 10 ppm	No 10 ppm
BromideBromide is a naturally occurring element found in surface waters and groundwater and contributes to the formation of toxic tap water disinfection byproducts.	68.02 ppb 110 ppb	No	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
Combined Uranium (pCi/L)Uranium is a radioactive element commonly found in most rocks; processed ore is used for power generation and weapons manufacture.	<0.01 pCi/L <0.01 pCi/L	No	No 15 pCi/L
MolybdenumMolybdenum is a byproduct of copper and tungsten mining, and is used as an alloy for various metals; it also occurs naturally in soil and rock.	1.94 ppb 4 ppb	No 40 ppb	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)Beta particles are a form of radiation frequently associated with nuclear testing and radioactive mineral deposits.	1.55 pCi/L 4.2 pCi/L	No	No 15 pCi/L
Selenium (total)Selenium is a naturally occurring element that contaminates water due to mining or petrolum refining, fly-ash from coal-burning power plants, and irrigation of arid farmland soils high in selenium.	1.21 ppb 5 ppb	No 50 ppb	No 50 ppb
Barium (total)Barium is a mineral that enters drinking water through drilling and mining waste runoff, discharges from chemical industries and erosion of natural deposits.	35.09 ppb 120 ppb	No 700 ppb	No 2000 ppb
Chromium (total)Chromium is a metal that pollutes drinking water due to discharge from steel and pulp mills and erosion of natural deposits.	2.5 ppb 6 ppb	No 100 ppb	No 100 ppb
Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium)Alpha particles are a form of radiation associated with mining waste pollutants and natural sources.	1.44 pCi/L 4.6 pCi/L	No	No 15 pCi/L
ManganeseManganese is a naturally occurring element released from mineral deposits as well as industrial use.	1.57 ppb 9 ppb	No 50 ppb	No 50 ppb
Strontium-90Strontium-90 is a radioactive pollutant from nuclear fallout and possibly weapons and power production.	0.25 pCi/L 1.13 pCi/L	No	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
AluminumAluminum is a metal released from metal refineries and mining operations.	1.12 ppb 9 ppb	No 200 ppb	No 200 ppb
CopperCopper is a naturally occuring metal and drinking water contaminant that enters tap water by corrosion of household plumbing systems and erosion of natural deposits.	1.23 ppb 9 ppb	No 300 ppb	No 1000 ppb
VanadiumVanadium is a metal used as an alloying addition to iron & steel; it is discharged from ceramic, glass, textile, photography, metallurgy and rubber industries.	1.47 ppb 2.2 ppb	No	Legal at any levelThis is the Federal Limit. State Limits may be lower.
HexachlorocyclopentadieneHexachlorocyclopentadiene is an industrial pollutant discharged from chemical factories.	<0.01 ppb 0.13 ppb	No 40 ppb	No 50 ppb
NitriteNitrite is a chemical that enters water from fertilizer runoff, leaching septic tanks, and erosion of natural deposits.	<0.01 ppm 0.06 ppm	No 1 ppm	No 1 ppm
Foaming agents (surfactants)Foaming agents (surfactants) are detergents or detergent-like substances used as cleaning agents in industrial and consumer goods such as personal care products; they are also used as inert ingredients in pesticides.	0.39 ppb 6.25 ppb	No 500 ppb	No 500 ppb
NOTE: Each dot in the above graph represents one month. * Water utilities are noted as exceeding the legal limit if any test is above the maximum contaminant level (MCL). Most MCLs are based on annual averages so exceeding the MCL for one test does not necessarily indicate that the system is out of compliance.

Contaminants Not Detected - 95 chemicals

1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,2 Dibromo-3-chloropropane (DBCP), 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 2,3,7,8-TCDD (Dioxin), 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-d, Alachlor (Lasso), Aldicarb, Aldicarb sulfone, Aldicarb sulfoxide, Alpha particle activity, Alpha particle activity (suspended), Antimony (total), Aroclor 1016, Aroclor 1221, Aroclor 1232, Aroclor 1242, Aroclor 1248, Aroclor 1254, Aroclor 1260, Asbestos, Atrazine, Benzene, Benzo[a]pyrene, Beryllium (total), Bromodichloromethane, Bromoform, Cadmium (total), Carbofuran, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chlorite, Chloroform, Chromium (hexavalent), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Cyanide, Dacthal, Dalapon, Desethylatrazine, Di(2-Ethylhexyl) adipate, Dibromoacetic acid, Dibromochloromethane, Dichloroacetic acid, Dichloromethane (methylene chloride), Dinoseb, Diquat, Endothall, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Ethylene dibromide (EDB), Glyphosate, Gross beta particle & photon emitters (man-made), Gross beta particle activity (dissolved), Gross beta particle activity (mrem/yr), Gross beta particle activity (suspended), Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), Lindane, m- & p- Xylene, m-Xylene, Mercury (total inorganic), Methoxychlor, Monobromoacetic acid, Monochloroacetic acid, Monochlorobenzene (Chlorobenzene), Mtbe, o-Dichlorobenzene, o-Xylene, Oxamyl (Vydate), p-Dichlorobenzene, p-Xylene, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Silver (total), Simazine, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene, Thallium (total), Toluene, Total polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), Toxaphene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene, Trichloroacetic acid, Trichloroethylene, Tritium, Uranium-234, Uranium-235, Uranium-238, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total)

Pollution Summary

30	Total Contaminants Detected (2004 - 2008) Aluminum, Bromide, Arsenic (total), Barium (total), Bromate, Chromium (total), Copper, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium (total), Molybdenum, Vanadium, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Foaming agents (surfactants), Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Radon, Combined Uranium (mg/L), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Strontium-90, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
6	Agricultural Pollutants (pesticides, fertilizer, factory farms) Arsenic (total), Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium (total), Foaming agents (surfactants)
8	Sprawl and Urban Pollutants (road runoff, lawn pesticides, human waste) Arsenic (total), Copper, Lead (total), Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Molybdenum, Foaming agents (surfactants)
25	Industrial Pollutants Aluminum, Bromide, Arsenic (total), Barium (total), Chromium (total), Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium (total), Molybdenum, Vanadium, Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, Foaming agents (surfactants), Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Combined Uranium (mg/L), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Strontium-90, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
4	Water Treatment and Distribution Byproducts (pipes and fixtures, treatment chemicals and byproducts) Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs), Total haloacetic acids (HAAs), Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate, Bromate
21	Naturally Occurring (naturally present but increased for lands denuded by sprawl, agriculture, or industrial development) Aluminum, Bromide, Arsenic (total), Barium (total), Chromium (total), Copper, Lead (total), Manganese, Nitrate & nitrite, Nitrate, Nitrite, Selenium (total), Alpha particle activity (excl radon and uranium), Alpha particle activity (incl. radon & uranium), Radon, Combined Uranium (mg/L), Combined Radium (-226 & -228), Radium-226, Radium-228, Combined Uranium (pCi/L), Gross beta particle activity (pCi/L)
6	Unregulated Contaminants EPA has not established a maximum legal limit in tapwater for these contaminants Bromide, Lead (total), Molybdenum, Vanadium, Radon, Strontium-90

EPA Violation Summary

No violations were reported for this system since 2004.

Information on violations is drawn directly from EPA's national violations database in the Agency's Safe Drinking Water Information System. Analyses by others have raised questions about the quality of the information in EPA's database. For the purposes of this investigation, EWG is not showing below or including in our analyses, those violations for individual water suppliers that occurred on days for which the total number of violations assigned by EPA to that water supplier was greater than 20. This criteria was based on common characteristics of incorrect violations data as identified by water utilities, from a review of EPA's violations data by several hundred utilities prior to the release of EWG's investigation.