Water Quality: Caldwell, ID
21 water systems • 77,542 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Caldwell is served by 21 public water systems with a combined service population of 77,542 people, and has 922 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 116 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Caldwell's violation count is 593% above the national average for Idaho. Contaminants associated with violations include Barium, Chlorine Dioxide, E. coli, Gross Alpha, Haloacetic Acids.
Contaminants Found
Increases blood pressure and causes cardiovascular effects with long-term exposure.
Common source: Natural rock deposits, oil drilling operations, coal power plant waste
EPA limit: 2 mg/L
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)
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)
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)
Hair loss, nail brittleness, and nervous system damage at elevated concentrations.
Common source: Natural geological deposits, mining discharges, oil refinery waste
EPA limit: 0.05 mg/L (50 ppb)
Water Systems Serving Caldwell
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CALDWELL CITY OF | ID3140013 | Groundwater | 74,000 | 249 |
| CALDWELL HOUSING AUTHORITY | ID3140012 | Groundwater | 1,100 | 39 |
| EL RANCHO HEIGHTS | ID3140034 | Groundwater | 300 | 52 |
| WOODVIEW ACRES PROPERTY OWNERS | ID3140141 | Groundwater | 245 | 12 |
| KARCHER RANCHETTE WATER CORP | ID3140049 | Groundwater | 213 | 7 |
| SOMERSET WEST WATER CORP | ID3140113 | Groundwater | 203 | 4 |
| OWYHEE VILLAGE SUBD WATER ASSN INC | ID3140087 | Groundwater | 200 | 4 |
| DRAKE SUBD | ID3140028 | Groundwater | 150 | 98 |
| RIO VISTA WATER COMPANY 3 | ID3140098 | Groundwater | 140 | 1 |
| PAR ESTATES HOMEOWNERS ASSN | ID3140180 | Groundwater | 140 | 62 |
| GEM STATE ACADEMY | ID3140038 | Groundwater | 121 | 8 |
| COUNTRY CLUB SUBDIVISIONS WATER ASSN | ID3140022 | Groundwater | 120 | 2 |
| PLEASANT VIEW MANOR | ID3140079 | Groundwater | 100 | 180 |
| IDAHO YOUTH RANCH HANDS OF PROMISE | ID3140274 | Groundwater | 95 | 26 |
| MAVERICK SUBD LASHER CONSTRUCTION | ID3140069 | Groundwater | 90 | 81 |
| STECHER WATER USERS ASSN | ID3140116 | Groundwater | 70 | 2 |
| STECHER MUTUAL WATER COMPANY | ID3140175 | Groundwater | 62 | 5 |
| RICH SUBD | ID3140096 | Groundwater | 60 | 62 |
| VANAL HEIGHTS WELL ASSN | ID3140133 | Groundwater | 48 | 16 |
| VANAL HEIGHTS SWEET WATER | ID3140132 | Groundwater | 45 | 3 |
| WILDROSE ESTATES | ID3140139 | Groundwater | 40 | 9 |
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.