PFAS in Drinking Water in Nevada
What residents of Nevada need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in Nevada?
Yes. Nevada has significant PFAS contamination from Nellis AFB and the Nevada Test and Training Range complex near Las Vegas, as well as from Fallon Naval Air Station in Churchill County. Fallon NAS has been associated with multiple health concerns over the years, and PFAS from AFFF at this remote desert installation has contaminated groundwater in an area with limited alternative water sources.
Where does PFAS come from in Nevada?
Nellis AFB and the associated Nevada Test and Training Range northeast of Las Vegas are Nevada's largest military PFAS sources by installation size, though the remote location limits off-base population exposure. Fallon NAS in Churchill County has more direct community impact — the small city of Fallon and surrounding Churchill County farms draw from groundwater that has been contaminated by AFFF from the base.
What should Nevada residents know?
Fallon, Nevada residents — a community of approximately 9,000 people — face the most direct documented PFAS risk in Nevada from Fallon NAS. The community has a history of health concerns related to the base, and PFAS contamination adds to existing concerns. Las Vegas metro water primarily comes from Lake Mead; PFAS in Lake Mead is a lower-priority concern than military groundwater contamination in rural Nevada.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination sources | Fallon NAS (Churchill County), Nellis AFB complex (Clark County — remote location) |
| Community impact | Fallon, NV (~9,000 residents) face direct PFAS exposure from NAS groundwater contamination |
| State regulator | Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) — especially important for private well users in Churchill County |
Why PFAS Matters in Nevada
Fallon, Nevada and Churchill County represent Nevada's most direct PFAS community impact. The small agricultural community's water supply draws from the same alluvial aquifer that has received PFAS loading from Fallon Naval Air Station. The base has been associated with a cluster of childhood leukemia cases in the late 1990s, and while PFAS was not the focus of that investigation, the base's legacy of environmental impact on the community is well-documented. Nevada NDEP has expanded PFAS testing and is working with Fallon community water systems and private well owners.
Nevada PFAS Regulation
Nevada NDEP has investigated PFAS at Nellis AFB and Creech AFB near Las Vegas, and at the Fallon Naval Air Station in the Carson River Valley. Southern Nevada's dependence on Colorado River water (via Lake Mead) means PFAS from upstream contamination is a secondary concern. Nevada follows the federal MCL with no additional state standard.
Largest Nevada Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for Nevada utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Fallon and rural Churchill County residents near Fallon NAS face the highest documented risk. Las Vegas metro water customers drawing from Lake Mead face lower but non-zero PFAS risk and should monitor their utility's annual PFAS data. Private well users in agricultural communities near Nevada's military ranges should test independently.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in Nevada
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the Nevada utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your Nevada utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
Nevada PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
Nevada State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
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Nevada Division of Environmental Protection ↗