WaterVerge

Is Aberdeen, ID Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: ID6060001
Overall Score
93.3 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#8 of 139 in Idaho Top 6% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
93.3/100
waterverge.com
A 93.3/100

Aberdeen, ID — Water Quality Report

Aberdeen's drinking water received a grade of A (93.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,088 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 20 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Aberdeen's water

Aberdeen ranks #8 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.

Aberdeen relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Aberdeen may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
93.3 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.3/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Aberdeen, ID water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Aberdeen's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,088 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
2.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
3 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Aberdeen

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Aberdeen's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.3/100).

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4310). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: E. COLI.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3244). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Aberdeen's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 2.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Aberdeen's water system has 20 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2016 E. COLI Open
Sep 1998 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Sep 1996 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 1994 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
May 1994 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Bingham County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1976. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4310
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3244
DAM COLLAPSE, FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-505

Where does Aberdeen's water come from?

Aberdeen's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,088 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Aberdeen residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Monitor alerts during storms

Aberdeen's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
2.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

20
Total violations
4
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jul 2016
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

20 Total
2 Active
4 Health-based
18 Resolved
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
10
Total Coliform Rule
8
Ground Water Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Jul 2016 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jan 1994 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Sep 1998 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1998
Sep 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 1996
Jul 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 1994
May 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 1994
Apr 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Apr 1994
Jun 1993 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1993
Jan 1993 Resolved
Selenium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Antimony, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Beryllium, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Thallium, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Nickel
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Mercury
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jan 1993 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Jun 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1992
Jun 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1991
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Bingham County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

6
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
26.1%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
6
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

3
Declared disasters
Apr 2017
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Bingham County has experienced 3 federally declared disasters since 1976. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Apr 2017
SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4310
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3244
Jun 1976
DAM COLLAPSE, FLOODING
Flood FEMA #505

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 2.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 2.0 ppb from 2004 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (2.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,088
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Aberdeen's water comes from

Groundwater

Aberdeen's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,088 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Aberdeen

System Name PWSID Population Source
ABERDEEN CITY OF ID6060001 2,088 GW
Regional Comparison

How Aberdeen compares

Full Idaho rankings →

Aberdeen's score of 93.3/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major Idaho cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Aberdeen (this city)
93.3
Boise
33.6
Meridian
42.9
Nampa
41.8
Caldwell
38.5
Idaho avg
43
City Profile

About Aberdeen, ID

Wikipedia →

Aberdeen is a city in Bingham County, Idaho, United States. The population was 1,756 at the 2020 census. The community was named after Aberdeen, in Scotland.

Economic Profile
$62,944
Median Income
$139,256
Median Home Value
$604/mo
Median Rent
9.2%
Unemployment
Community
24.4
Median Age
979
People / sq mi
7.9%
College Educated
82.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Aberdeen, ID tap water safe to drink?

Aberdeen's water quality earned a grade of A (93.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #8 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.

What contaminants are in Aberdeen's water?

Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 20 violations are on record.

How is Aberdeen's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Aberdeen?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Aberdeen's water come from?

Aberdeen's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,088 residents.

What health violations has Aberdeen's water system had?

Aberdeen has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is Aberdeen's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Aberdeen uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 20 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Aberdeen's water compare to other cities?

Aberdeen ranks #8 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 94% of state cities) and #891 out of 15744 cities nationally (94th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Aberdeen's small water system affect quality?

Aberdeen's system serves approximately 2,088 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 20 violations on record.