Is Juliaetta, ID Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Lead was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
49.7/100
waterverge.com Juliaetta, ID — Water Quality Report
Juliaetta's drinking water received a grade of D (49.7 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 624 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 23.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 56 violations on record, including 22 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
What to know about Juliaetta's water
Juliaetta ranks #96 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.
Hexavalent chromium (chromium-6) was detected at 0.76 µg/L in UCMR 3 testing. While below California's 10 µg/L limit and with no federal MCL set, residents sensitive to this contaminant may consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water.
As a small community water system, Juliaetta may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 11 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Juliaetta, ID water safe to drink?
Juliaetta's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (49.7/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 624 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Juliaetta
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Juliaetta's water quality assessment. Grade: D (49.7/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4443). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4313). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Juliaetta's water supply.
Exceeds EPA action level. Lead service line replacement and point-of-use filtration recommended.
Violation history
Juliaetta's water system has 56 total violations on record, including 22 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved. 11 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Latah County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include Potlatch River Bel Little Potlatch Cr Nr Spalding, Clearwater River.
Where does Juliaetta's water come from?
Juliaetta's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 624 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Potlatch River Bel Little Potlatch Cr Nr Spalding (river), Clearwater River (river).
What Juliaetta residents can do
Recommended: NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Juliaetta's water.
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.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Juliaetta'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtLatah 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.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Latah County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1964. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Juliaetta's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 23.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Juliaetta compares by contaminant
Explore where Juliaetta ranks among all Idaho cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Juliaetta's water comes from
Juliaetta's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 local government ownership and serves approximately 624 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Juliaetta
Juliaetta is located near 2 notable water bodies. As a surface water system, these water bodies may directly influence the city's drinking water supply.
Water systems serving Juliaetta
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| JULIAETTA CITY OF | ID2290018 | 624 | SW |
How Juliaetta compares
Full Idaho rankings →Juliaetta's score of 49.7/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major Idaho cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Idaho rankings →About Juliaetta, ID
Wikipedia →Juliaetta is a city in Latah County, Idaho, United States. The town was named after the daughters of an early settler. In 2020, Juliaetta had a population of 624.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Juliaetta's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Latah
Frequently asked questions
Is Juliaetta, ID tap water safe to drink?
Juliaetta's water quality earned a grade of D (49.7/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #96 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.
What contaminants are in Juliaetta's water?
Lead was measured at 23.0 ppb (90th percentile). 56 violations are on record.
How is Juliaetta'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 Juliaetta?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Juliaetta's water come from?
Juliaetta's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 624 residents.
What health violations has Juliaetta's water system had?
Juliaetta has 22 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
How does Juliaetta's water compare to other cities?
Juliaetta ranks #96 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 31% of state cities) and #13217 out of 15744 cities nationally (16th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Juliaetta's small water system affect quality?
Juliaetta's system serves approximately 624 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 56 violations on record.