Public Water Systems & Safe Drinking Water Act
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Program Description
The Land Development Program (LDP) staff ensures that the over 100 public water systems in Washoe County comply with the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Nevada Public Water System Construction Regulations. The regulations ensure that the water purveyors provide safe and reliable water. The staff tracks over 5,000 samples annually and trains water system operators. The training has resulted in a reduction of "boil water orders" and "failure to monitor" violations for the sixth straight year. Currently, all public water systems in Washoe County are in compliance with chemical drinking water standards.
The LDP staff works with state and local agencies to protect groundwater quality. Based on staff's research of nitrate contamination in Spanish Springs and Cold Springs Valleys, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP) ordered Washoe County and affected residents to develop an action plan to address the nitrate problem. The Engineering staff has been instrumental in developing solutions to the problem by working with citizens and county agencies to address future contamination issues through policy and regulation development.
The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Bureau of Safe Drinking Water provides regulatory oversight for the Public Water System Supervision Program (PWSSP) in Nevada. Staff at the Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH) provide contractual services and local oversight within Washoe County.
The Total Coliform Rule (TCR) requires Public Water Systems to collect Total Coliform samples at sites which are representative of the water throughout the distribution system, according to a written sample siting plan.
- State of Nevada, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection (NDEP)
- Northern Nevada Public Health (NNPH), Environmental Health Services (EHS)
Contact the Program
Latricia Lord, Senior Environmental Health Specialist
775-328-2689
llord@washoecounty.gov
David Kelly, Environmental Health Specialist Supervisor
775-846-6623
dakelly@washoecounty.gov
General email
HealthEHS@washoecounty.gov