EPA Research in Nevada

Explore EPA's research across the United States.

EPA researchers are working hard to protect communities across the nation. Learn about some of the work EPA researchers are doing in Nevada.

Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke
Helping Community Drinking Water Systems Find Cost-Effective Solutions to Treatment Challenges
Groundwater Characterization and Remediation at the Anaconda Mine Site

For more EPA work, see EPA in Nevada.

Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke

The Kolibri air sensor, a lightweight sampler developed by EPA researchers, samples chemical, particle, and biological pollutants as it is carried through smoke in an unmanned aircraft system.

EPA researchers are tackling smoke issues from wildfires. In 2019, EPA researchers drove mobile laboratories to wildfires as they occur in the Northwest. Additionally, three stationary labs in wildfire-prone areas were set up with regulatory and research grade instrumentation and low-cost sensors and other small air sampling devices. The labs were located near Reno, Nevada, Boise, Idaho, and at a U.S. Forest Service research facility in Missoula, Montana. This research will improve the ability to predict smoke from both wildfires and prescribed burns and determine what air monitors are best for measuring smoke from wildfires. Read Studies Advance Air Monitoring During Wildfires and Improve Forecasting of Smoke.

Helping Community Drinking Water Systems Find Cost-Effective Solutions to Treatment Challenges

Emerging contaminants, such as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), are challenging to drinking water systems across the country. Effective treatment for emerging contaminants can be unknown, difficult, and extremely costly. Working with the state of Nevada, EPA researchers are providing technical assistance to a small community water system with PFAS concerns to help them identify optimal, cost-effective treatment methods and optimize the long-term operation of their chosen technology. These efforts will also be used to develop best practices and performance and cost estimate tools so water utilities across the country can make informed treatment and operational choices. Read more at Technical Assistance for Treatment Options to Remove Emerging Contaminants.

Groundwater Characterization and Remediation at the Anaconda Mine Site

The Anaconda Mine Site has uranium and previous copper ore mining. Establishing background concentrations of uranium and sulfate in groundwater is critical to understanding the extent and magnitude of groundwater contamination. EPA Office of Research and Development provided technical assistance on and reviews of estimated background concentrations of site constituents, groundwater characterization, and groundwater/geochemical modeling efforts, as well as technical analyses. The Nevada Department of Environmental Protection Abandoned Mine Land Program, in conjunction with EPA Region 9, used the analyses provided to help design both better remediation strategies and better monitoring systems for the abandoned mine complex.