WaterVerge

Is Kimberly, ID Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B+, with 10 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

5K residents served 2 water systems PWSID: ID5420033
Overall Score
81.9 / 100
Violations
10 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#53 of 139 in Idaho Top 46% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B+GRADE
Water Quality Grade
81.9/100
waterverge.com
B+ 81.9/100

Kimberly, ID — Water Quality Report

Kimberly's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 5,429 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 91 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Kimberly's water

Kimberly ranks #53 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Kimberly 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.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
81.9 out of 100 Grade B+
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
33.9/45
B
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 4.0 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 Kimberly, ID water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Kimberly's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 5,429 residents using groundwater (wells).

10
Active Violations
4.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
2 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Kimberly

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kimberly's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING

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

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 Kimberly's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Kimberly's water system has 91 total violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 10 remain unresolved. 4 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

RPTMRMONTTOtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2025 LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS Open
Jan 2025 Nitrate Resolved
Nov 2022 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Oct 2022 Chlorine Resolved
Oct 2019 Chlorine Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Twin Falls County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters 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. Local water sources include Devils Washbowl Spring Nr Kimberly 10S 18E 04Aad1S, Snake River Nr Kimberly, Snake River Nr Twin Falls, Rock Creek Ab Hwy 30/93 Xing.

SEVERE WINTER STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4310
HURRICANE KATRINA
Hurricane FEMA DR-3244

Where does Kimberly's water come from?

Kimberly's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 5,429 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Devils Washbowl Spring Nr Kimberly 10S 18E 04Aad1S (river), Snake River Nr Kimberly (river), Snake River Nr Twin Falls (river), Rock Creek Ab Hwy 30/93 Xing (river).

What Kimberly residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Kimberly's water.

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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

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
4.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 27% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

91
Total violations
10
Health-based
10
Active / unresolved
Jul 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

91 Total
10 Active
10 Health-based
81 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
62
Nitrate Rule
6
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
5
Public Notice Rule and Revised PN Rule
5
Lead and Copper Rule
3
Jul 2025 Active
LEAD AND COPPER RULE REVISIONS
Reporting
Reporting 0
Oct 2017 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Aug 2017 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jan 2013 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Nov 2012 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jun 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Feb 2011 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Aug 2010 Active
Public Notice
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2025 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2025
Nov 2022 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Nov 2022
Oct 2022 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2022
Oct 2019 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Aug 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Aug 2017
Jul 2017 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2017
Aug 2011 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2011
May 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2010
Apr 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Apr 2010
Apr 2010 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2010
Showing 20 of 91 violations
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Kimberly

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Kimberly, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
LAMB WESTON INC
Food · LAMB WESTON INC
TWIN FALLS, ID83301
5.8 mi
AMALGAMATED SUGAR CO
Food · AMALGAMATED SUGAR CO
TWIN FALLS, ID83301
3.2 mi
GLANBIA FOODS INC
Food · GLANBIA INC
TWIN FALLS, ID83301
5.6 mi
CHOBANI IDAHO
Food · CHOBANI GLOBAL HOLDINGS LLC
TWIN FALLS, ID83301
3.4 mi
LIPPERT COMPONENTS - TWIN FALLS #64
Fabricated Metals · LCI INDUSTRIES
TWIN FALLS, ID83301
2.6 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D3 — extreme drought

Cassia County is currently in D3 (extreme 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)
20.8%
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

2
Declared disasters
Apr 2017
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Twin Falls County has experienced 2 federally declared disasters since 2005. 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

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.0 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 2003 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (4.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
5,429
Water Systems
2
Water Source

Where Kimberly's water comes from

Groundwater

Kimberly'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 5,429 people through 2 water systems.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Kimberly

Kimberly is located near 4 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Devils Washbowl Spring Nr Kimberly 10S 18E 04Aad1S
river
Snake River Nr Kimberly
river
Snake River Nr Twin Falls
river
Rock Creek Ab Hwy 30/93 Xing
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Kimberly

System Name PWSID Population Source
KIMBERLY CITY OF ID5420033 5,359 GW
NIELSONS COUNTRY COURT ID5160032 70 GW
Regional Comparison

How Kimberly compares

Full Idaho rankings →

Kimberly's score of 81.9/100 is above the average of 43/100 among major Idaho cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Kimberly (this city)
81.9
Boise
33.6
Meridian
42.9
Nampa
41.8
Caldwell
38.5
Idaho avg
43
City Profile

About Kimberly, ID

Economic Profile
$72,063
Median Income
$267,462
Median Home Value
$979/mo
Median Rent
0.6%
Unemployment
Community
31.5
Median Age
958
People / sq mi
20.6%
College Educated
82.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Kimberly, ID tap water safe to drink?

Kimberly's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #53 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.

What contaminants are in Kimberly's water?

Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 91 violations are on record.

How is Kimberly'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 Kimberly?

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

Where does Kimberly's water come from?

Kimberly's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 5,429 residents.

What health violations has Kimberly's water system had?

Kimberly has 10 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. 10 violations remain unresolved.

Is Kimberly's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Kimberly 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 91 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 Kimberly's water compare to other cities?

Kimberly ranks #53 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 62% of state cities) and #7243 out of 15744 cities nationally (54th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.