Nitrate in Idaho Drinking Water
Idaho has 4,387 public water systems. 3174 have recorded nitrate violations.
Total Systems
4,387
With Violations
3,174
EPA MCL
10
Population Served
1.8M
Nitrate in Idaho: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
4,387
Systems with Violations
3,174
Lead Violations
21
Copper Violations
108
EPA Standard
10 mg/L as N
MCLG (goal): 10 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Idaho
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| VALLEY VIEW SUBDIVISION | 90 | 1278 |
| CLEARWATER WATER DIST | 80 | 1066 |
| POCATELLO CITY OF | 58K | 961 |
| SIMPLOT WOOD CREEK | 15 | 910 |
| ASPEN RIDGE SUBD | 204 | 868 |
| SYMMS FRUIT RANCH INC | 88 | 682 |
| MISSION CREEK WATER ASSN | 263 | 674 |
| POST FALLS CITY OF | 20K | 658 |
Health Effects of Nitrate Exposure
Blue baby syndrome
Infants under 6 months can develop methemoglobinemia
Thyroid effects
May disrupt thyroid function with chronic exposure
Cancer links
Potential associations with colorectal cancer at high levels
Infants below 6 months can develop methemoglobinemia ('blue baby syndrome'). May also affect adults with certain conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there nitrate in Idaho water?
Idaho has 4,387 public water systems. 3174 have recorded nitrate violations based on EPA SDWIS data. If you are on a private well, your water is not covered by these regulations and should be tested independently.
How can I check my Idaho water for nitrate?
Search for your water system using the WaterCheck system lookup, or contact your utility and request a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR is published annually and lists all detected contaminants, their levels, and the EPA MCLs. For private wells, contact a state-certified lab for independent testing.
What is the EPA limit for nitrate?
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for nitrate is 10 mg/L as N. Systems that exceed MCLs are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Nitrate at a Glance
Source
Runoff from fertilizer use; leaching from septic tanks and sewage; erosion of natural deposits
How to Filter Nitrate
- +Reverse osmosis or distillation removes nitrates
- +Boiling does NOT remove nitrates - it concentrates them
- +Do not give well water to infants under 6 months without testing