State Well Water Guide
Nevada Private Well Water Guide
Approximately 10% of Nevada residents rely on private wells, concentrated in rural counties across the Great Basin. Nevada's arid geology creates a distinct contamination profile: naturally occurring arsenic is widespread across the Basin and Range geology, fluoride is elevated in some volcanic aquifers, and uranium has been documented in portions of the Colorado River watershed. The absence of regular recharge in Nevada's desert aquifers means some contamination from mining operations and legacy industrial sites persists for decades. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection oversees well construction standards, but private well owners are responsible for water quality monitoring.
Testing Guidance
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection recommends annual bacteria testing for all private wells, with arsenic and fluoride testing at least every 3 years given the widespread natural occurrence of both in Nevada's aquifers. Wells in mining districts — particularly in Elko, Lander, Humboldt, and Nye counties — should be tested for heavy metals including lead, mercury, and cadmium. PFAS testing is recommended near Fallon Naval Air Station and Nellis AFB. New wells should receive a full baseline panel before first use.
What to Test For in Nevada
Total coliform bacteria and E. coli — annual minimum for all wells
Arsenic — all Nevada wells; particularly high in Churchill, Pershing, Lander, and Humboldt counties
Fluoride — volcanic aquifer areas; naturally elevated in parts of Churchill, Nye, and Mineral counties
Uranium — southern Nevada near the Colorado River watershed
Heavy metals (lead, mercury, cadmium) — wells in or near historic mining districts
PFAS — wells near Fallon NAS and Nellis AFB
Nitrates — wells near septic systems in rural subdivisions
Total dissolved solids (TDS) — Nevada's arid groundwater is often highly mineralized
Common Contamination Risks in Nevada
Naturally occurring arsenic — Nevada's Basin and Range geology is among the highest-arsenic in the western U.S.; the USGS has documented exceedances in well over 10% of tested rural wells
Elevated fluoride in volcanic aquifer systems — dental and skeletal fluorosis risk with long-term exposure above 4 mg/L
Mining legacy contamination — over 400 active and historic mines in Nevada; acid mine drainage and tailings leach heavy metals into groundwater
PFAS contamination near Fallon NAS — associated with a documented childhood leukemia cluster investigated by the CDC
High total dissolved solids (TDS) — Nevada's groundwater often exceeds 500 mg/L TDS due to the arid climate concentrating minerals
Contaminant Guides Relevant to NV Wells
PFAS
Synthetic Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 ppt
Lead
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 15 ppb (action level)
Nitrates
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 10 mg/L
DBPs
Disinfection Byproducts
EPA limit: 80 µg/L (TTHMs) / 60 µg/L (HAA5)
Arsenic
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 10 ppb
Hard Water
Minerals
EPA limit: No federal limit
Chlorine
Disinfection Chemicals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL)
Microplastics
Emerging Contaminants
EPA limit: No federal limit
Bacteria
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero E. coli / < 1 coliform per 100 mL
Fluoride
Minerals
EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MCL) / 2 mg/L (Secondary MCL)
Chromium-6
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 100 ppb (total chromium)
Copper
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L (action level)
Radon
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: No finalized MCL
Iron & Manganese
Minerals
EPA limit: 0.3 mg/L iron / 0.05 mg/L manganese (aesthetic SMCLs)
Atrazine
Agricultural Chemicals
EPA limit: 3 ppb (0.003 mg/L)
Uranium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 30 µg/L (30 ppb)
Perchlorate
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: 0.056 mg/L (56 ppb)
VOCs
Industrial Chemicals
EPA limit: Varies by compound: benzene 5 ppb; TCE 5 ppb; PCE 5 ppb; vinyl chloride 2 ppb
Radium
Radioactive Contaminants
EPA limit: 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)
Crypto & Giardia
Microbial Contamination
EPA limit: Zero (treatment technique standard)
Hydrogen Sulfide
Naturally Occurring Compounds
EPA limit: No MCL; Secondary MCL (aesthetic) of 0.05 mg/L
Selenium
Minerals
EPA limit: 50 ppb (0.05 mg/L)
Cadmium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 5 ppb (0.005 mg/L)
Mercury
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 ppb (0.002 mg/L)
Barium
Heavy Metals
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
pH
Water Quality Indicators
EPA limit: 6.5–8.5 (secondary standard)
Find a Certified Lab in Nevada
Use the Nevada state-certified laboratory program to find accredited labs for private well testing. Always verify current certification before submitting samples.
NV Certified Lab Directory ↗Nevada Well Water FAQs
Related Pages
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.
Quick Reference
State program
NV Certified Labs ↗EPA guidance
EPA Private Wells Program ↗State lab directory
NV Certified Labs ↗Minimum Annual Tests
Plus state-specific contaminants listed above
Other State Guides