Water
IVGID’s Water Infrastructure
Our drinking water is some of the finest in the world! DRINK TAHOE TAP!
In order to treat and supply an average of 1 Billion Gallons of water annually our Water Infrastructure Assets include:
- A UV & Ozone water treatment plant able to treat up to 8.5 million gallons daily
- 100 miles of water mains between 4” to 24”
- 753 hydrants, 12 IVGID fire hydrants and 106 private fire hydrants
- 2,031 gate valves
- 13 water tanks with 7 million gallons of storage capacity
- 13 water pumping stations with 26 pressure zones
- Service connections to over 4,440 water meters
Total Water infrastructure replacement value: $275,000,000
Total assessed value of water and sewer infrastructure: $113,474,000 (2014 IVGID Audit Report)
The IVGID Public Works department provides its water customers with a safe, palatable water supply that is very close to its pure, natural state. The Public Works water treatment plant is one of a handful of surface water treatment facilities across the nation that is not required to provide filtration for its drinking water.
IVGID has received an exemption of filtration requirement because of the unique characteristics and extremely high quality of our water source, Lake Tahoe. Water is drawn out of Lake Tahoe and treated using a state-of-the-art ozone treatment process followed by an ultraviolet light system. These systems provide disinfection of the drinking water to protect against bacteria, viruses and cysts. Ozone is a powerful disinfectant that does not alter mineral quality and enhances the taste of the water. UV light also imparts no taste to the water. The District then injects a small dose of chlorine in the drinking water before it goes out to the community to keep it bacteria-free in the pipes.
Water Quality
Tahoe Tap starts with some of the finest source water in the world. Public water systems are more rigorously tested and monitored than the bottled water industry. In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes many regulations and testing requirements that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water. The EPA standards for tap water are much more stringent than the FDA standards for bottled water. Tap water costs less than a penny per gallon and we are fortunate to have some of the finest drinking water in the world!
Consumer Confidence Report – A detailed report about your drinking water
Each June a comprehensive Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) on the water quality of the system is published and sent to all customers. This is in compliance with Federal EPA reporting requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions About our Water
Where does our drinking water come from?
The source of your drinking water is Lake Tahoe. Pumped directly out of the lake, your drinking water is first disinfected, then distributed through 90 miles of pipelines, stored in one of 13 water storage tanks and finally delivered to your property. Due to the high quality of our drinking water source, IVGID is not required to perform filtration. Our treatment system meets stringent national water quality standards through rigorous watershed management practices, extensive water quality monitoring and state-of-the-art ozone and ultraviolet disinfection with a chlorine residual.
How healthy is our drinking water?
Our drinking water is healthy and pleasant to drink! The water tests well below the maximum contaminant level for both health and aesthetic contaminants. In 2012, 2013, and 2016, IVGID won the “Best Tasting Water in Nevada Award” from the Nevada Rural Water Association.
IVGID is a member of the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association (TWSA). This group provides a unified voice for source water protection in the Tahoe Basin. As purveyors of some of the finest drinking water in the United States, we encourage you to fill up a glass and DRINK TAHOE TAP!
To learn more about how you can protect the source of your drinking water, visit the Tahoe Water Suppliers Association page.
Should I be concerned about lead?
Your water meets State and federal requirements for lead. If present at elevated levels, this contaminant 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. IVGID’S water system is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in 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 2 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. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.
Residents concerned that there may be lead in the water at their home can contact a laboratory to order a sample bottle and purchase a lead analysis. The lab will provide instructions on how to collect a sample for lead and copper testing. For a list of labs certified to perform drinking water analyses, visit the Get Your Drinking Water Tested page on the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection website. IVGID does not test for lead in a home’s water supply unless the residence meets the EPA’s criteria to be part of the copper and lead sampling program.
For additional information about lead in drinking water, visit these webpages:
- Environmental Protection Agency website – Drinking Water Requirements for States and Public Water Systems: Lead and Copper Rule
- Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Agency website – Lead in Drinking Water FAQ
Is chlorine used in the water?
Yes, chlorine is used in the water to make sure it stays disinfected while it travels through the water infrastructure to your property. Chlorine will dissipate over time with exposure to air and can also be removed from the water with the use of a carbon water filter.
Should I filter the water?
IVGID tap water is safe and pleasant to drink from the tap. If you have concerns about the tap water, a simple carbon block filter (pitcher or tap mount) will remove final traces of metals (from your plumbing), chlorine (a disinfectant required in municipal water distribution) and resolve any taste or odor issues.
Does IVGID add fluoride to the drinking water?
No fluoride is added to community drinking water.
What agencies set testing standards for drinking water?
In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the EPA prescribes many regulations and testing requirements that limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water. In general, the EPA standards for tap water are much more stringent than the FDA standards for bottled water.
