Treatment and Testing
Searchlight's water meets all SDWA standards.
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.
Water Testing
Every month, Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD) scientists collect and analyze water samples from Searchlight's water supply to ensure it meets all Safe Drinking Water Act standards. LVVWD tests for more than 100 substances.
See the Searchlight Water Quality page for details about substances detected in the water supply.
Monitoring Waivers
The Searchlight Water System currently has monitoring waivers for certain chemical contaminants regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
A monitoring waiver means the Water District does not have to test the water for these contaminants at the frequency required by the EPA. In order to receive a waiver, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection conducted a vulnerability assessment.
The assessment established that the water system is unlikely to be contaminated by these chemicals 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 e-mail.
For additional information, call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.