Cottonwood Water Department
EPA ID: ID2250013 · 977 people served · 1 ZIP code
Water monitoring history for Cottonwood Water Department includes 7 violations, each addressed and closed — the system holds no active EPA enforcement today for its 977 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Cottonwood Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Cottonwood Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $67,438 and an estimated 2,620 residents across its service area. Approximately 74% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 100% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Cottonwood Water Department's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 3% of homes in Idaho County, Idaho rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Cottonwood Water Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Cottonwood Water Department (EPA ID: ID2250013) is a community water system in Idaho that serves approximately 977 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 83522 in Cottonwood.
Average Home Safety Score: C (63/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| February 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Lead | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 4 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83522 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 83522 — Cottonwood
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Cottonwood Water Department (ID2250013) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cottonwood Water Department water safe to drink?
Cottonwood Water Department has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Cottonwood Water Department serve?
Cottonwood Water Department serves approximately 977 people across 1 ZIP code in Idaho.
Where does Cottonwood Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Cottonwood Water Department (EPA ID: ID2250013) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.