Boise, ID: 7 Health Violations - Home Safety 79/100
32 ZIP codes · 13 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Boise: B.
This ZIP looks solid, with a few items worth a quick check.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (7 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Water utilities in Boise have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods - the city's above-average grade in ID reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Boise Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Water Quality Map: Boise, ID
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of Home Safety grades across Boise.
Boise Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 139 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0043 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $1,981 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.96.
Water Systems Serving Boise
Across Boise, ID, residential water comes from 3 primary utilities rather than a single consolidated provider. Each system operates independently - managing its own distribution infrastructure, rate schedules, and EPA compliance filings. Federal records track 13 water systems in the area, with these top providers accounting for the majority of residential connections.
- B
- B
- B
Overview
We track home safety data for 32 ZIP codes in Boise, Idaho (population ~265,704), covering 13 community water systems serving approximately 436,957 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 10 of 32 ZIP codes.
6 of 10 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (60%) have recorded EPA violations. 7 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Boise: B (79/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Boise water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0043 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 10 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 1 ZIP code
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 31 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Combined Radium | Radionuclides | 22 | 4 |
| Contaminant 2005 | Other | 12 | 2 |
| Contaminant 2010 | Other | 12 | 2 |
| Contaminant 2015 | Other | 12 | 2 |
| Contaminant 2020 | Other | 12 | 2 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 83704 | C | 125 | 3 | Veolia Water Idaho |
| 83706 | B | 125 | 3 | Veolia Water Idaho |
| 83709 | B | 12 | 4 | Veolia Water Idaho |
| 83713 | B | 6 | 4 | Veolia Water Idaho |
| 83702 | B | 2 | 0 | Veolia Water Idaho |
| 83703 | B | 2 | 0 | Veolia Water Idaho |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83705 | B | Veolia Water Idaho | 264,978 |
| 83712 | B | Veolia Water Idaho | 264,978 |
| 83716 | — | Veolia Water Idaho | 264,978 |
| 83725 | B | Veolia Water Idaho | 264,978 |
All ZIP Codes in Boise
- 83701
- 83702 [B] - 2 violations
- 83703 [B] - 2 violations
- 83704 [C] - 125 violations ⚠
- 83705 [B]
- 83706 [B] - 125 violations ⚠
- 83707
- 83708
- 83709 [B] - 12 violations ⚠
- 83711
- 83712 [B]
- 83713 [B] - 6 violations ⚠
- 83715
- 83716
- 83717
- 83719
- 83720
- 83721
- 83722
- 83724
- 83725 [B]
- 83726
- 83727
- 83728
- 83729
- 83730
- 83731
- 83732
- 83735
- 83756
- 83757
- 83799
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Boise
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Key Contaminants Detected in Boise
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Boise: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Given current Boise valuations, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is low - most homeowners are looking at a proportionally modest share that fits within routine financial planning.
Remediation costs in Boise are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,213–$3,284 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 43% above the Idaho average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Boise
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Boise appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Boise
Historical NFIP data for Boise contains 73 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $6,080. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. The <strong>$1,981</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Boise, ID