Benewah County, Idaho
5 ZIP codes · Avg score 54/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
While Benewah County's situation varies by ZIP, its 5 ZIP codes collectively fall below the state average — addressing specific concerns starts with checking the system that serves a given address.
How Benewah County Compares
How Benewah County Compares
Benewah County scores 12 points below the Idaho state average (66/100) and 14 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Benewah County, Idaho
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 11.6%, diabetes 13.5%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $902, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.37% avg pipe failure probability, 40% of ZIPs at high risk
62.4% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Benewah County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 3 total (3 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $902
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,746 housing units in Benewah County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Benewah County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Benewah County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Benewah County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Benewah County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TENSED CITY OF | 146 | 9 |
| 2 | City of Plummer | 1,034 | 7 |
| 3 | City of Harrison | 456 | 7 |
| 4 | Fernwood Water District | 495 | 1 |
| 5 | Santa Water and Sewer District | 150 | 1 |
All ZIP Codes in Benewah County
5 ZIP codes tracked in Benewah County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 83870 | Tensed | 65 | C | 9 (1 health) | $429K |
| 2 | 83830 | Fernwood | 64 | C | 1 | $228K |
| 3 | 83851 | Plummer | 60 | C | 7 | $219K |
| 4 | 83824 | Desmet | 40 | D | 0 | $334K |
| 5 | 83866 | Santa | 40 | D | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Benewah County
While many sites publish identical guide lists across every county they cover, the selection here changes by location — driven by the EPA, NSF, FEMA, and CDC datasets that describe the actual conditions documented for this jurisdiction in the federal record.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 62.4% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Benewah County, Idaho
Overview
Benewah County in Idaho covers 5 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (54/100).
3 of 5 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation have been documented.
← Back to Idaho water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.
What You Can Do
Benewah County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
62.4% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.