Water Pollution's Impact On Reno, Nevada: A Local Concern

Water pollution is a pressing issue in Reno, Nevada, with the city's water supply exceeding EPA limits for contaminants such as arsenic, manganese, and tetrachloroethylene. While Reno's tap water meets legal requirements, certain contaminants may pose health risks to residents. Arsenic, for instance, is a known neurotoxin that can lead to skin damage, circulatory issues, and cancer. Other contaminants, such as chloroform and uranium, are also cause for concern. The presence of these contaminants in Reno's water supply highlights the need for effective water filtration systems and raises questions about the potential impact on the health of those living in the area.

Arsenic in drinking water

Arsenic is a heavy metal that is introduced to water when it is pulled from the ground. Northern Nevada has the country's highest arsenic levels in its groundwater according to a USGS survey. As the city of Reno, Nevada, pulls some of its water from the ground, arsenic is a common issue in the city's water supply.

Arsenic occurs naturally in the earth's crust, but it can also seep into groundwater from natural events such as volcanic activity, erosion, and earthquakes, as well as human activities such as mining, landscaping, and agriculture. It is colourless, odourless, and tasteless, so only laboratory analysis can detect its presence and concentration.

The legal requirement for arsenic in drinking water is 10 parts per billion (ppb), but the healthy level is 0 ppb. In 2021, Reno's highest reported level was 13.9 ppb, with an average of 8.8 ppb.

Exposure to arsenic in drinking water can cause or increase the risk of various types of cancer, including skin, bladder, and lung cancer. There is also evidence that long-term exposure can increase the risks of kidney and prostate cancer. Arsenic is a neurotoxin that can harm nerve tissue and disrupt cognitive development. It also bioaccumulates, collecting in organs and leading to issues such as skin damage and circulatory system problems. In the worst-case scenarios, arsenic can be deadly.

Rural communities in Northern Nevada experience elevated levels of arsenic in their private wells, putting their health at risk. A study by the Desert Research Institute found that nearly one-fourth of private wells in Northern Nevada exceed safe levels of arsenic, with some having levels nearly 80 times higher than the national safety limit.

To ensure the safety of drinking water, it is recommended to invest in a high-quality water filtration system.

Chlorine byproducts

Chlorine is added to drinking water to destroy harmful bacteria. However, this process of chlorination can produce dangerous chlorine byproducts, such as chloroform, bromodichloromethane, bromoform, dibromoacetic acid, dibromochloromethane, haloacetic acids, and trihalomethanes. These byproducts are associated with a range of adverse health effects, including an increased risk of cancer, kidney and liver damage, and problems during pregnancy.

Reno's drinking water supply, which comes primarily from the Truckee River, has been found to contain unsafe levels of these chlorine byproducts. While Reno's water meets federal drinking water standards, it falls short of more stringent health guidelines. For instance, the presence of chloroform in Reno's water has been linked to an increased risk of cancer in the brain, kidneys, and liver. Similarly, dibromochloromethane, another chlorine byproduct, has been associated with cancer, kidney, and liver issues.

The formation of chlorine byproducts occurs when chlorine reacts with organic matter in the water. This can include natural organic matter, such as leaves and soil, as well as man-made contaminants from industrial processes and agricultural runoff. The specific byproducts formed and their concentrations can vary depending on factors such as the quality of the source water, the type of disinfection process used, and the contact time between the chlorine and the water.

To reduce the risk of consuming these harmful byproducts, residents of Reno are advised to invest in water filtration systems for their homes. These systems can effectively remove contaminants, providing families with safer and healthier drinking water.

Water hardness

Reno's drinking water comes primarily from the Truckee River, which originates at Lake Tahoe and receives water from rain and snowmelt in the Sierra Nevada region. The rest of the city's water comes from over 90 wells in the Truckee Meadows Water Authority's service area, which is groundwater with higher levels of calcium and magnesium. As a result, the water supplied to Reno residents can be hard, leading to problems such as scale buildup, reduced water pressure, and damage to pipes and appliances.

The hardness of water is typically measured in milligrams per liter (mg/L) and classified into categories ranging from soft to very hard. Water with 0 to 60 mg/L of dissolved minerals is considered soft, while water with over 180 mg/L is classified as very hard. Reno's water hardness is relatively mild compared to other cities in Nevada, such as Elko, which has a hardness level of 410 Parts Per Million (PPM). Reno's water hardness is approximately 38 PPM, which is considered moderately hard.

To address the challenges posed by hard water, many homeowners in Reno invest in water softeners. Water softening systems remove magnesium and calcium from the water, improving its quality and mitigating the negative effects of hard water. By installing a water softener, residents can achieve better cleaning results, reduce soap scum buildup, prevent damage to pipes and appliances, and enjoy softer hair and skin.

Groundwater issues

Reno, Nevada, gets most of its water from the Truckee River, which originates at Lake Tahoe and is fed by snow melt and rain throughout the Tahoe and Truckee River basins in the Sierra Nevada. The remainder comes from groundwater that feeds into the water system from hundreds of wells owned by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA). TMWA also has a small number of satellite water systems that are fed exclusively by groundwater.

Rural communities in Northern Nevada experience elevated levels of arsenic and other heavy metals in their private wells, putting their health at risk. Northern Nevada has the country's highest arsenic levels in the groundwater, according to a USGS survey. This is due to the geological landscape, with arsenic seeping into groundwater from natural events such as volcanic activity, erosion, and earthquakes, as well as human activity such as mining, landscaping, and agriculture.

The Desert Research Institute, an environmental research facility, found that nearly one-fourth of private wells in Northern Nevada exceed safe levels of arsenic, with some having levels nearly 80 times higher than the national safety limit. These wells also possessed high levels of other heavy metals such as uranium, lead, cadmium, and iron.

Arsenic is a known neurotoxin that can harm nerve tissue and disrupt cognitive development. It also bioaccumulates, collecting in organs and leading to various issues such as skin damage, circulatory system issues, and several types of cancer. Long-term exposure to water with high levels of arsenic can lead to adverse health effects, with children and pets being particularly vulnerable.

To address the issue of arsenic in groundwater, frequent testing and high-quality water filters are necessary. Boiling water does not remove arsenic, so a filtration system is required. TMWA blends river water with well water to get arsenic levels below EPA standards. However, even if you get water from a source other than a private well, monitoring your tap water quality is essential.

In addition to arsenic, other contaminants found in Reno's groundwater include nitrate, which is a common groundwater contaminant caused by wastewater treatment effluent, fertilizer runoff, and animal manure. Excess nitrate exposure can cause methemoglobinemia, a condition that prevents tissues from receiving adequate oxygen levels, and can also hinder child development and increase the risk of bladder cancer.

Deteriorating infrastructure

One common problem with ageing water pipes is leakage. Leaky pipes can create a vacuum effect, pulling untreated water in with the treated water. As a result, when residents turn on their faucets, they end up with a mix of treated and untreated water, increasing the risk of exposure to contaminants.

Moreover, old pipes can leach dangerous substances such as copper, lead, and other heavy metals into the water supply. This seepage of heavy metals invites a cocktail of unhealthy contaminants into the drinking water, posing serious health risks to those who consume it.

The issue of deteriorating infrastructure is not unique to Reno but is a challenge faced by many municipalities. It is essential to address this issue to maintain the safety and quality of the water supply for residents. Upgrading and maintaining water infrastructure is crucial to ensuring that residents have access to clean and healthy drinking water.

In addition to deteriorating infrastructure, other factors contributing to water contamination in Reno include hazardous runoff from farms and manufacturing plants, as well as the addition of chlorine to improve taste and smell. However, addressing the issue of deteriorating infrastructure is a critical step in improving the overall water quality in the city.

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