Early samples raise concerns about water quality

The samples came from aquifers not used as drinking water sources from 1993-95 and will be subjected to further review as part of a thorough analysis of water basins in the state.

But initial testing found the level of volatile organic compounds was high enough to raise some concerns, survey researchers said in a new report.

Chloroform, a product of water chlorination treatment, was the most common contamination found in the state's two largest urban areas, said researcher Michael Lico.

It was detected in 21 percent of the shallow groundwater samples in Reno and Sparks, and 68 percent of the samples in Las Vegas.

Four samples from Reno and two from Las Vegas had volatile organic compounds greater than drinking water limits set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Geological Survey said.

Low levels of pesticide contaminants were found in 28 percent of the samples taken from Truckee Meadows.

The study gave the Carson Valley the cleanest bill of health.

Samples from 20 shallow water-table and 17 principal aquifers in the valley during 1993-95 detected no volatile organic compounds, such as solvents or gasoline. Some evidence of pesticides surfaced there, but USGS scientists said the concentrations were low.

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