Truckee Meadows Water Authority halts outdoor watering amid river turbidity concerns

RENO, Nev. — The Truckee Meadows Water Authority (TMWA) has issued an urgent directive for all customers to immediately stop outdoor watering due to high turbidity levels in the Truckee River. This situation is expected to worsen following a mudslide near the California-Nevada state line.

To safeguard the region’s water treatment plants from excessive sediment and debris, TMWA will close some river intakes, significantly reducing treatment capacity. Although the water supply remains secure, TMWA will rely heavily on groundwater wells to meet demand. Customer cooperation is crucial to maintaining system reliability during this period.

“Turning off sprinklers and halting outdoor watering is the single most important action our customers can take right now,” said Will Raymond, TMWA director of water operations and water quality. “This temporary measure will help us keep the system stable until river conditions improve. Our customers have always been fantastic in helping us with challenges of this nature and we’re thankful for everyone in the community doing their part.”

TMWA assures that there are no concerns regarding drinking water quality or safety. The decision to shut down intakes is a standard precaution to protect both the treatment process and the long-term reliability of the system. Indoor water use remains unaffected.

TMWA will continue to monitor the river closely and provide updates as conditions change. Customers will be notified as soon as they can resume outdoor watering. For updates, visit www.tmwa.com or follow TMWA on social media.