WaterVerge

Is Dubois, 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 ↓

511 residents served 1 water system PWSID: ID7170003
Overall Score
90.8 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#21 of 139 in Idaho Top 13% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.8/100
waterverge.com
A 90.8/100

Dubois, ID — Water Quality Report

Dubois's drinking water received a grade of A (90.8 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 511 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 17 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Dubois's water

Dubois ranks #21 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Dubois 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, Dubois may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.8 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
40.8/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 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 Dubois, ID water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Dubois's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 511 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 event
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Dubois

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Dubois's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.8/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Public Notice.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA

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

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Dubois's water system has 17 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 2 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

OtherTTMONMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Nov 2022 Public Notice Open
Jul 2022 Groundwater Rule Open
Sep 2018 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jan 2002 Arsenic Resolved
Sep 1999 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Clark County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3244

Where does Dubois's water come from?

Dubois's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 511 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Dubois 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.

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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

17
Total violations
3
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Nov 2022
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

17 Total
2 Active
3 Health-based
15 Resolved
Violations by category
Inorganic Chemicals
6
Total Coliform Rule
5
Arsenic Rule
2
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
1
Ground Water Rule
1
Nov 2022 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Jul 2022 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Sep 2018 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Sep 2018
Jan 2002 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2004
Sep 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1999
Nov 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Nov 1994
Jun 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1994
Sep 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1991
Jun 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1991
Oct 1979 Resolved
Cadmium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Barium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Chromium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Mercury
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Fluoride
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Selenium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Oct 1979 Resolved
Arsenic
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1979
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Clark 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)
28.5%
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

1
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Hurricane
Most common type

Clark County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA #3244

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 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 decreased by 1.6 ppb from 1998 (2.6 ppb) to 2026 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
511
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Dubois's water comes from

Groundwater

Dubois'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 511 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Dubois

System Name PWSID Population Source
DUBOIS CITY OF ID7170003 511 GW
Regional Comparison

How Dubois compares

Full Idaho rankings →

Dubois's score of 90.8/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major Idaho cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Dubois (this city)
90.8
Boise
33.6
Meridian
42.9
Nampa
41.8
Caldwell
38.5
Idaho avg
43
City Profile

About Dubois, ID

Wikipedia →

Dubois is a city in Clark County, Idaho, United States. The population was 511 at the 2020 census. The city is the county seat of Clark County.

Economic Profile
$52,625
Median Income
$231,043
Median Home Value
$725/mo
Median Rent
1%
Unemployment
Community
41.9
Median Age
75
People / sq mi
19%
College Educated
72.9%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Dubois, ID tap water safe to drink?

Dubois's water quality earned a grade of A (90.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #21 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.

What contaminants are in Dubois's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 17 violations are on record.

How is Dubois'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 Dubois?

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

Where does Dubois's water come from?

Dubois's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 511 residents.

What health violations has Dubois's water system had?

Dubois has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is Dubois's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Dubois 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 17 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 Dubois's water compare to other cities?

Dubois ranks #21 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 85% of state cities) and #2057 out of 15744 cities nationally (87th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Dubois's small water system affect quality?

Dubois's system serves approximately 511 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 17 violations on record.