Water Quality: Bonners Ferry, ID
11 water systems • 9,837 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Bonners Ferry is served by 11 public water systems with a combined service population of 9,837 people, and has 419 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 225 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Bonners Ferry's violation count is 215% above the national average for Idaho. Contaminants associated with violations include Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Fecal Coliform, Gross Alpha, HAA5.
Contaminants Found
Can cause anemia in infants and young children; may cause nervous system effects at high levels.
Common source: Water treatment disinfectant used to control taste, odor, and microorganisms
EPA limit: 0.8 mg/L
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Indicates direct fecal contamination; associated with diarrhea, cramps, nausea, and potential severe illness.
Common source: Human and animal fecal waste
EPA limit: Zero tolerance (any positive triggers violations)
Alpha-emitting radioactive particles increase cancer risk, particularly from bone and other internal cancers.
Common source: Natural uranium and radium in geological formations
EPA limit: 15 pCi/L (excluding radon and uranium)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Linked to increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Trihalomethanes and haloacetic acids that increase cancer risk and may cause adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Chlorine disinfection reacting with natural organic matter in source water
EPA limit: TTHM: 0.080 mg/L; HAA5: 0.060 mg/L
Total trihalomethanes are linked to increased risk of bladder cancer and adverse reproductive outcomes.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with naturally occurring organic matter in water
EPA limit: 0.080 mg/L (80 ppb)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Bonners Ferry
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BONNERS FERRY CITY OF | ID1110003 | Surface Water | 3,367 | 0 |
| THREE MILE WATER DIST | ID1110028 | Groundwater | 2,458 | 1 |
| CABINET MOUNTAINS WATER DIST | ID1110042 | Groundwater | 2,335 | 3 |
| BEE LINE WATER ASSN INC | ID1110001 | Surface Water | 533 | 24 |
| MISSION CREEK WATER ASSN | ID1110019 | Groundwater | 263 | 345 |
| PARADISE VALLEY WATER ASSN | ID1110023 | Surface Water | 250 | 4 |
| TWENTY MILE CREEK WATER ASSN | ID1110030 | Surface Water | 225 | 12 |
| SKIN CREEK WATER ASSN | ID1110025 | Surface Water | 200 | 1 |
| TROW CREEK WATER ASSN | ID1110029 | Surface Water | 98 | 24 |
| MORAVIA WATER ASSN | ID1110020 | Groundwater | 80 | 3 |
| COW CREEK WATER ASSN | ID1110007 | Groundwater | 28 | 2 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Idaho
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.