01The verdict: is Horseshoe Bend water safe?
Horseshoe Bend's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of C- (57.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 801 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
15 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 2.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓14 violations in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Horseshoe Bend's drinking water received a grade of C- (57.6 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 801 residents using surface water.
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 184 violations on record, including 77 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
Horseshoe Bend ranks #82 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. As a small community water system, Horseshoe Bend may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 14 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Horseshoe Bend's water
Every contaminant flagged in Horseshoe Bend, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Idaho
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Idaho
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Horseshoe Bend's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 184 violations on record, including 77 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.
3 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 3 ppb since 2001. Latest reading: 5 ppb (2025) — 33% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Horseshoe Bend's water comes from
Horseshoe Bend's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
801 people
Residents served across Horseshoe Bend's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 801 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HORSESHOE BEND WATER SUPPLY | ID4080024 | 750 | Surface Water |
| HORSESHU VUE RANCH SUBD | ID4080095 | 51 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Horseshoe Bend
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Horseshoe Bend's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Horseshoe Bend's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
2 federal disaster declarations on record for Boise County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Boise County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Horseshoe Bend compares
Scores for nearby Idaho cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Idaho average (43/100)
Horseshoe Bend scores 57.6/100 — above the Idaho average of 43/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Idaho rankings →
33.6 / 100FMeridian, ID
42.9 / 100FNampa, ID
41.8 / 100DIdaho Falls, ID
46.6 / 100FCaldwell, ID
38.5 / 100FPocatello, ID
42.5 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Horseshoe Bend's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Horseshoe Bend's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for Horseshoe Bend alerts
We refresh EPA data monthly and surface new violations, advisories, and boil-water notices for your county on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Horseshoe Bend, ID tap water safe to drink?
Horseshoe Bend's water quality earned a grade of C- (57.6/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #82 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.
What contaminants are in Horseshoe Bend's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 184 violations are on record.
How is Horseshoe Bend'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 Horseshoe Bend?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Horseshoe Bend's water come from?
Horseshoe Bend's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 801 residents.
What health violations has Horseshoe Bend's water system had?
Horseshoe Bend has 77 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in December 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 15 violations remain unresolved.
How does Horseshoe Bend's water compare to other cities?
Horseshoe Bend ranks #82 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 41% of state cities) and #12148 out of 15382 cities nationally (21th percentile). The grade of C- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.