NATURAL
ENVIRONMENT.
For many people, the beauty and recreational opportunities of the natural environment in the Truckee Meadows are a crucial reason they choose to live here. Access to clean air, safe drinking water, and scenic landscapes significantly enhances daily living and promotes a healthy lifestyle. The region's natural beauty also attracts residents and supports tourism and local businesses, contributing to economic vitality.
Measuring this Quality of Life Area provides a baseline for assessing the area's health, safety, and livability. Understanding pollution and resource management trends helps inform policy decisions and community actions to improve environmental conditions.
Environmental factors such as air quality and water safety influence public health, safety, and community well-being. Likewise, managing natural resources, such as water consumption and park acreage, reflects the community's sustainability practices and ability to support a healthy lifestyle.
The graphics below were frozen at the time of publishing the Consumer Progress Report in November 2024. To learn more about each indicator and view more information with recent updates through 2026, simply click on the charts, map, or graph to be directed to the NevadaTomorrow.org Community Data Portal, where you will see maps, charts, graphs, year-over-year comparisons, and more.
VIEW OR PRINT THE FULL REPORT
The Truckee Meadows Tomorrow 2024-2026 Community Progress Report published on November 12, 2024! It includes all 10 Quality of Life areas with the most important data points selected by our Data Advisory Group and TMT team. You will find the same indicators and summaries in each online QOL area with links to NevadaTomorrow.org.
Print it out and take it with you for easy reading and reference.
DIGGING INTO THE DATA
The available data includes air quality measurements, water contaminants, and natural resource management. These indicators provide insights into environmental challenges and progress, guiding efforts to enhance the community's quality of life by maintaining a healthy and sustainable natural environment.
DATA BITES
Weeks Of Moderate Drought or Worse
Significant water shortages and potential impacts on crops, water supplies, and ecosystems
Air Quality Index: Number of Unhealthy Days
Days with an AQI below 151-200 in 2023
Air Quality Index: Number of Unhealthy Days
EXTREME CLIMATE EVENTS
The "Number of Extreme Heat Days" highlight significant climate challenges in Washoe County. In 2022, there were 36 extreme heat days, with extreme heat being defined by temperatures exceeding the 90th percentile. These conditions pose severe health risks, particularly to vulnerable populations, and are a leading cause of weather-related deaths. The data underscores the increasing frequency of heat-related incidents.
Days with extreme heat
Days with extreme precipitation
Days without extreme heat/precipitation
Number of Extreme Heat Days
Number of Extreme Precipitation Days
WATER QUALITY
The water quality indicators for the Truckee Meadows area, as reported by the Truckee Meadows Water Authority, demonstrate that all measured contaminants, including arsenic, antimony, chromium, copper, fluoride, haloacetic acids (HAA5), and trihalomethanes (TTHMs), are below the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act standards. This compliance ensures the safety and health of the community's drinking water. Regular testing and annual Consumer Confidence Reports provide transparency and maintain public trust in the region's water quality management.
COMMUNITY PROGRESS
TRUCKEE RIVER STEWARDSHIP
The community's engagement with educational programs related to the Truckee River has shown positive trends. In 2023, adult participation in these programs increased by 14.3% from the previous year, reaching 1,152 participants. This rise indicates growing community interest and involvement in understanding the river's ecological and social significance. Additionally, awareness about the Truckee River's role in supplying 85% of the region's drinking water improved, with 86.9% of residents acknowledging this fact, up from 81.3%. These indicators reflect a heightened community commitment to environmental stewardship and water resource management, which is essential for sustaining the river's health and utility.
RESIDENTIAL WATER USE
Residential water use in the Truckee Meadows area is characterized by a significant focus on metered accounts, reflecting a shift toward more efficient water management. In 2023, the number of residential metered accounts increased by 2.4% from the previous year, reaching 126,635. This growth indicates a trend toward metered billing, which encourages conservation. Despite the increase in accounts, the average daily residential water consumption decreased by 7.9% to 364.33 gallons per account, suggesting successful conservation efforts or changes in consumer behavior. These trends highlight the community's commitment to sustainable water use and resource management in response to environmental challenges.
Truckee Meadows Water Authority: Water Sold
to Residential Metered Accounts
Source: Truckee Meadows Water Authority Annual Comprehensive Financial Report for the years ended June 30, 2023, and 2022, pages 90 and 96.
COMMUNITY IN ACTION
One Truckee River
One Truckee River (OTR) is a nonprofit that manages a coalition of public and private partners working together to ensure a healthy and thriving river connected to its community. Their Partnership Council includes 42 representatives from 32 local agencies and nonprofits collaborating to improve water quality, create a thriving environment, conduct education and outreach, and facilitate long-term management of the Truckee River, as guided by our Management Plan. Most recent programs include installing Portland Loo public bathroom structure along the river, one at Brodhead Park and another in John Champion Park, with a third installation scheduled for Reno City Plaza in downtown Reno.
Sierra Nevada Journeys
Sierra Nevada Journeys offers outdoor, science-based education programs for kids that develop critical thinking skills and inspire natural resource stewardship. Using the outdoors as a classroom, SNJ combines school-based curriculum, field and residential experiential programs, and professional development for teachers to promote student achievement while building educators' capacity to teach their curriculum effectively.
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation
Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation is an independent nonprofit organization that supports parks and open spaces in Truckee Meadows, including Washoe County, Reno, and Sparks parks, through park-based educational and recreational programs, financial support for new and existing park infrastructure, and citizen advocacy for their parks.
Nevada Bugs and Butterflies
Nevada Bugs and Butterflies is a nonprofit providing hands-on science experiences to cultivate a love of the natural world. Its outdoor science center in Lemmon Valley features a butterfly house, live insects, interactive activities, a garden, and educational outreach programs for schools and youth groups in northern Nevada.
RESOURCES
Truckee Meadows Water Authority Water Resource Plan: Due to population growth and extreme climate variation, the Truckee Meadows Water Authority's 2020-2040 Water Resource Plan outlines strategies to meet the region's water needs.
Washoe County Green Recovery Plan: The Washoe County Green Recovery Plan focuses on strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience, strengthen food security, invest in transportation infrastructure, and develop an urban forestry program.
SPONSORED BY TRUCKEE MEADOWS WATER AUTHORITY
TMWA is a not-for-profit, community-owned water utility. Our skilled workforce ensures the treatment, delivery and availability of high-quality drinking water for more than 440,000 residents. It aims to enhance the quality of life in the Truckee Meadows by delivering exceptional, customer-focused water services.
