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Searchlight water quality

Water delivered by the Searchlight water system meets or surpasses all state and federal drinking water standards.

The Las Vegas Valley Water District produces a water quality report each year for Searchlight water customers. The Water District tests for more than 100 substances, but only those detected in Searchlight's drinking water are listed on the report's test results page.

Water analysis and source water assessments

To view a more detailed water analysis or the Safe Drinking Water Act source water assessment for Searchlight, use the links below. Data reported was collected in the previous calendar year.

Testing and treating the water supply

Searchlight’s water supply is closely monitored. Every month, Water District scientists collect and analyze water samples from Searchlight's water supply to ensure it meets all Safe Drinking Water Act.

Because Searchlight's water supply is protected within the principal groundwater aquifer, it doesn't require the level of treatment associated with surface water sources. Once pumped from the principal aquifer, the water is disinfected with sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) to kill any potentially harmful microscopic organisms. When water from Well S-2 is drawn, it also is treated for arsenic removal at a treatment plant located by the well to ensure Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Monitoring waivers

The Searchlight Water System currently has monitoring waivers for certain chemical contaminants regulated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

A monitoring waiver means the Water District does not have to test the water for these chemicals at the frequency required by the EPA.

Waivers are granted by the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection after conducting a vulnerability assessment. The agency’s assessment of the Searchlight water system established that contamination from these chemicals is unlikely, based on a study of:

  • The geology of the area
  • Past and current land uses (such as mining), and
  • The existence of potential sources of contamination

For details about the specific chemicals for which there are monitoring waivers, please call the Water District at 702-258-3215 or contact us via email.

For additional information, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visit the EPA website, which offers information about national efforts to protect groundwater sources.

Protecting wellheads from pollutants

Wellhead protection simply means protecting the area around a well from pollutants that might contaminate the well water. It also includes protecting the area where surface water filters to the groundwater aquifer. This action prevents groundwater wells from becoming unusable.

Searchlight's wellhead protection plan

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has endorsed the Searchlight Wellhead Protection Plan. The 2004 plan, drafted with the input of Searchlight Town Advisory Board representatives along with local, state and federal agency assistance, provides a proactive approach for protecting Searchlight's water supply.

For more information about Searchlight wellhead protection, call the Water District's Operations Department at 702-258-3110.

Tips for private well owners

Private well users are encouraged to establish their own wellhead protection areas around their wells. The area should be a circle around the well that has a minimum radius of 100 feet from the wellhead. 

More tips on how to protect private wells are available on the Nevada well user's guide web page. To learn more about groundwater in the valley, visit the Las Vegas Groundwater Management Program website.