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Searchlight 2023 Water Quality Report

Water delivered by the Searchlight Water System meets or surpasses all state of Nevada and federal drinking-water standards.

The Searchlight Water System is owned and operated by the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD).

About your source water

The Searchlight Water System service area is supplied by wells in Piute Valley. Wells S-2 and S-3 are the primary water sources; Well S-1 is utilized as a backup well for maintenance or emergencies. The three wells are typically not in use at the same time. The wells in Searchlight are recharged by precipitation and snowmelt runoff from the Lucy Gray range, the Castle Mountains and the McCullough Mountains, as well as groundwater flows from the adjacent upgradient valley.

Source water assessment

The federal Safe Drinking Water Act was amended in 1996 and requires states to develop and implement source water assessment programs to analyze existing and potential threats to the quality of public drinking water throughout the state. A summary of the Searchlight Water System’s susceptibility to potential sources of contamination was initially provided by the state of Nevada in 2005, and an updated summary was published in the 2017 water quality report for the Searchlight Water System. View the summary assessment.

Call 702-258-3215 if you have questions. Learn more about the Nevada Source Water Assessment Program at ndep.nv.gov/water/source-water-protection.

Treatment and testing

Because Searchlight’s water supply is protected within the principal groundwater aquifer, it does not require the level of treatment associated with surface water sources. However, water quality is closely monitored. Once pumped from the principal aquifer, the water is disinfected using sodium hypochlorite. When water from Well S-2 is drawn, it also is treated for arsenic removal by a treatment plant located at the well to ensure compliance with Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Every month, water samples from Searchlight’s water system are collected and analyzed. The Water District monitors in accordance with all Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.

Searchlight Water System water quality test results

These results represent levels in the treated water supply, based on 2021 data, except where noted.

Searchlight Water System Distribution System (1)
Regulated Contaminants Unit MCL (EPA Limit) MCLG (EPA Goal) Minimum Maximum Average Possible Sources of Contamination
Alpha Particles pCi/L 15 0 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation
Arsenic ppb 10 0 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits
Barium ppm 2 2 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; discharge of drilling wastes
Chromium (Total) ppb 100 100 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits
Copper (4) ppm 1.3 (5)
(Action Level)
1.3 N/D (2) 0.1 (2) 0.1 (2)
(90th% value)
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride ppm 4.0 4.0 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits
Free Chlorine Residual ppm 4.0 (6)
(MRDL)
4.0 (6)
(MRDLG)
0.4 2.5 0.9 (3) Water additive used to control microbes
Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 N/A(7) 3 3 N/A By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Lead (4) ppb 15 (5)
(Action Level)
0 N/D (2) 1 (2) 1 (2)
(90th% value)
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) ppm 10 10 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Selenium ppb 50 50 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines; component of petroleum
Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 N/A (7) 24 24 N/A By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Uranium ppb 30 0 Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Entry Point Monitoring Only Erosion of natural deposits
Searchlight Water System Well S-2 Treatment Plant (1)
Regulated Contaminants Unit MCL (EPA Limit) MCLG (EPA Goal) Minimum Maximum Average Possible Sources of Contamination
Alpha Particles pCi/L 15 0 N/A N/A N/A Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation
Arsenic ppb 10 0 6 7 7 (3) Erosion of natural deposits
Barium ppm 2 2 N/D N/D N/A Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; discharge of drilling wastes
Chromium (Total) ppb 100 100 42 42 N/A Erosion of natural deposits
Copper (4) ppm 1.3 (5)
(Action Level)
1.3 Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride ppm 4.0 4.0 1.0 1.0 N/A Erosion of natural deposits
Free Chlorine Residual ppm 4.0 (6)
(MRDL)
4.0 (6)
(MRDLG)
Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Water additive used to control microbes
Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 N/A (7) Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Lead (4) ppb 15 (5)
(Action Level)
0 Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) ppm 10 10 3.5 3.5 N/A Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Selenium ppb 50 50 2 2 N/A Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines; component of petroleum
Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 N/A (7) Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Uranium ppb 30 0 7 7 N/A Erosion of natural deposits
Searchlight Water System Well S-1 (1)
Regulated Contaminants Unit MCL (EPA Limit) MCLG (EPA Goal) Minimum Maximum Possible Sources of Contamination
Alpha Particles pCi/L 15 0 4.8 (2) 4.8 (2) Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation
Arsenic ppb 10 0 1 1 Erosion of natural deposits
Barium ppm 2 2 0.04 0.04 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; discharge of drilling wastes
Chromium (Total) ppb 100 100 N/D N/D Erosion of natural deposits
Copper (4) ppm 1.3 (5)
(Action Level)
1.3 Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride ppm 4.0 4.0 0.6 0.6 Erosion of natural deposits
Free Chlorine Residual ppm 4.0 (6)
(MRDL)
4.0 (6)
(MRDLG)
Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Water additive used to control microbes
Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 N/A (7) Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Lead (4) ppb 15 (5)
(Action Level)
0 Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) ppm 10 10 3.8 3.8 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Selenium ppb 50 50 12 12 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines; component of petroleum
Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 N/A (7) Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Uranium ppb 30 0 7 7 Erosion of natural deposits
Searchlight Water System Well S-3 (1)
Regulated Contaminants Unit MCL (EPA Limit) MCLG (EPA Goal) Minimum Maximum Possible Sources of Contamination
Alpha Particles pCi/L 15 0 5.6 (2) 5.6 (2) Erosion of natural deposits of certain minerals that are radioactive and may emit a form of radiation known as alpha radiation
Arsenic ppb 10 0 5 5 Erosion of natural deposits
Barium ppm 2 2 N/D N/D Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from metal refineries; discharge of drilling wastes
Chromium (Total) ppb 100 100 18 18 Erosion of natural deposits
Copper (4) ppm 1.3 (5)
(Action Level)
1.3 Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Fluoride ppm 4.0 4.0 0.9 0.9 Erosion of natural deposits
Free Chlorine Residual ppm 4.0 (6)
(MRDL)
4.0 (6)
(MRDLG)
Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Water additive used to control microbes
Haloacetic Acids ppb 60 N/A(7) Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Lead (4) ppb 15 (5)
(Action Level)
0 Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
Nitrate (as Nitrogen) ppm 10 10 2.7 2.7 Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks, sewage; erosion of natural deposits
Selenium ppb 50 50 2 2 Erosion of natural deposits; discharge from mines; component of petroleum
Total Trihalomethanes ppb 80 N/A (7) Distribution System Monitoring Only Distribution System Monitoring Only By-product of drinking-water disinfection
Uranium ppb 30 0 5 5 Erosion of natural deposits
Footnotes:
  1. Some Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) regulations require monitoring in the distribution system, while other SDWA regulations require monitoring at locations representative of the entry points to the distribution system.
  2. Annual monitoring not required, data from 2020.
  3. This value is the highest running annual average reported in 2022. Reports are filed quarterly.
  4. Samples are collected from Searchlight customers' taps.
  5. Lead and copper are regulated by a Treatment Technique that requires systems to control the corrosiveness of their water. If more than 10% of tap-water samples exceed the Action Level, water systems must take additional steps. For copper the Action Level is 1.3 ppm, and for lead it is 15 ppb.
  6. Chlorine is regulated by MRDL, with the goal stated as a MRDLG.
  7. Although there is no collective MCLG for this contaminant group, there are individual MCLGs for some of the individual contaminants. Trihalomethanes: bromodichloromethane (zero); bromoform (zero); dibromochloromethane (60 ppb); chloroform (70 ppb). Haloacetic acids: dichloroacetic acid (zero); trichloroacetic acid (20 ppb); monochloroacetic acid (70 ppb). Bromoacetic acid and dibromoacetic acid are regulated with this group but have no MCLGs.

Back to Test Results

Key terms

Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Disinfection by-product: A substance created by the chemicals or processes used to destroy potentially harmful microorganisms.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of a drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contamination.

N/A: Not applicable

N/D: Not detected. Does not equate to zero, but refers to an amount below analytical reporting limits.

Part per billion (ppb): A unit used to describe the levels of detected contaminants. Equivalent to 1 cent in $10 million.

Part per million (ppm): A unit used to describe the levels of detected contaminants. Equivalent to 1 cent in $10,000.

Picocuries per liter (pCi/L): A measure of the radioactivity in water. Low levels of radiation occur naturally in many water systems, including the Colorado River.

Running annual average: The average of sample results for 12 consecutive months or four consecutive quarters, based on the monitoring requirements.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Understanding test results

The Las Vegas Valley Water District tests for more than 100 regulated and unregulated substances. As required by the Safe Drinking Water Act, the test results above for Searchlight list those regulated contaminants with primary standards that were detected. A complete analysis report is available through the Water District.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, other contaminants, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source (untreated) water include:

  • Microbial contaminants such as viruses and bacteria that may come from septic systems and wildlife;
  • Inorganic contaminants such as salts and metals that can be naturally occurring or result from urban runoff, septic systems, industrial wastewater discharges and mining;
  • Pesticides and herbicides that may come from a variety of sources such as urban runoff and residential uses;
  • Organic chemical contaminants including synthetic or volatile organic chemicals that are by-products of industrial processes and can come from gas stations, urban runoff and septic systems;
  • Radioactive contaminants that can be naturally occurring or the result of mining activities.

To ensure tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes regulations that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water, which must provide similar protection for public health.

Health effects of arsenic

While your drinking water has low levels of arsenic, it is within the EPA’s standard limits. EPA’s standard balances the current understanding of arsenic’s possible health effects against the costs of removing arsenic from drinking water. EPA continues to research the health effects of low levels of arsenic, which is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

Lead and copper education notice

The Las Vegas Valley Water District, which operates the Searchlight Water System, actively monitors for lead and copper in accordance with state and EPA Lead and Copper Rule requirements. The following information is provided to help you assess risks in your tap water. If present at elevated levels, lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children.

Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The Water District is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water up to your meter but cannot control the variety of materials used in home plumbing components. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead-based plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to two minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your drinking water, you may wish to have your water tested by a private laboratory. For more information, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline, 800-426-4791, or visit epa.gov.

In December 2021, the U.S. EPA took a series of actions to improve the Lead and Copper Rule that are intended to better protect families and communities in years to come, particularly those that have been disproportionately impacted by lead in drinking water. Learn more about focus areas, including additional tap sampling and lead service line replacements, at epa.gov, and depend on your Water Quality Report to keep you informed.

Additional health information

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Those with compromised immune systems such as those with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have had organ transplants, those with HIV/AIDS or other immune-system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice from their health-care providers about drinking water. EPA/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium and other microbial contaminants are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791.

Input and information

For water-quality information, call 702-258-3215. Submit questions via the Contact Us form or by mail: Las Vegas Valley Water District, Water Quality Division, 1001 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas, NV 89153. For the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline, call 800-426-4791; for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection's Bureau of Safe Drinking Water, call 775-687-9521 or visit ndep.nv.gov/water.

Visit the Searchlight system pages for information on scheduled meetings of the Searchlight Water System Board of Directors. Meetings are open to the public.

LVVWD Board of Directors

The Searchlight Water System falls within the jurisdiction of the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD). The LVVWD Board of Directors, which is responsible for governing the Searchlight Water System’s activities, is composed of the Clark County Commissioners..

Marilyn Kirkpatrick, President

James Gibson, Vice President

Justin Jones, William McCurdy II, Ross Miller, Michael Naft, Tick Segerblom

John J. Entsminger, General Manager

Noticia en Español

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