Based on EPA UCMR5 monitoring data, EPA SDWIS federal violations records, and EWG Tap Water Database published findings.
Colorado River water accumulates contaminants across 7 western states. EWG flagged Las Vegas as one of top 3 most contaminated large cities.
Water source: Surface water (Lake Mead — Colorado River, 90%)
Water utility: Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD)
Detected at approximately 8.4 ppt total per EPA monitoring data — above the EPA's 4 ppt maximum contaminant level (effective 2026). Reverse osmosis or AquaTru filtration removes 99%+ of PFAS compounds.
The EPA's new maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS is 4 ppt, effective 2026. PFAS compounds have been linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune disruption, and developmental issues at chronic exposure levels per peer-reviewed research.
The following contaminants have been detected or are associated with elevated risk in this water system, per available EPA and EWG published data:
These detections are drawn from EPA SDWIS federal violations database and EWG Tap Water Database records. EWG health guidelines are stricter than EPA legal limits and reflect long-term exposure risk.
EPA SDWIS records show 1 health-based violation(s) and 0 lead action-level violation(s) in the past 5 years at this utility. Violations reflect the legal threshold; actual health risk at sub-violation levels is addressed by EWG health guidelines used in HAVEN's scoring.
Reverse osmosis filtration is strongly recommended. AquaTru Carafe ($149) or APEC ROES-50 under-sink RO ($250) remove essentially all documented contaminants in this system. Standard pitcher filters are NOT sufficient for this risk level.
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