City of Challis
EPA ID: ID7190013 · 900 people served · 5 ZIP codes
Five-year compliance data for City of Challis includes 6 violations the EPA has not yet marked resolved — those open findings are part of the utility's current enforcement profile, covering a service population of approximately 900 residents across the area it supplies.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for City of Challis Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade D
Service Area Demographics
The City of Challis serves a community with a median household income of $65,134 and an estimated 2,885 residents across its service area. Approximately 57% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 93% 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?
City of Challis's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 0% of homes in Custer 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 City of Challis compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Chlorite at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1 mg/L. Anemia and nervous system effects in infants and children. Consider ferrous sulfate reduction filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
E. coli at 2 Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action) exceeds the EPA maximum of Zero tolerance (any positive sample triggers immediate action). Severe GI illness; potentially fatal kidney failure in children. Consider UV disinfection (99.99%) filtration.
Contaminant 1052 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Fecal Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Chlorite was detected in this water system. ferrous sulfate reduction 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
City of Challis (EPA ID: ID7190013) is a community water system in Idaho that serves approximately 900 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: D (45/100)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 1, 2024 | Chlorite | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | E. coli | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1052 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chlorite | Disinfection Byproducts | 4 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 4 | No |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Fecal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 83226 | 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
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for City of Challis (ID7190013) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City of Challis water safe to drink?
City of Challis has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does City of Challis serve?
City of Challis serves approximately 900 people across 5 ZIP codes in Idaho.
Where does City of Challis get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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
City of Challis (EPA ID: ID7190013) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.