01The verdict: is Plummer water safe?
Plummer's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of F (44/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 2,410 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.88 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓17 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 ↓Plummer's drinking water received a grade of F (44 out of 100), indicating failing water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 2,410 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 6.1 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 1001 violations on record, including 24 health-based violations. 28 remain unresolved.
Plummer ranks #128 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Plummer 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Plummer may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. The system has seen 17 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
02What's in Plummer's water
Every contaminant flagged in Plummer, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 6.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.88 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Plummer'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 1001 violations on record, including 24 health-based violations. 28 remain unresolved.
2 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 2 ppb since 2004. Latest reading: 6 ppb (2025) — 40% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▲ Up 0.18 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (1.9 mg/L, 2001) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Plummer's water comes from
Plummer's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
5 systems
5 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,410 people
Residents served across Plummer's service area.
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 2,410 people through 5 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLUMMER CITY OF | ID1050021 | 1,034 | Groundwater |
| PLUMMER TRIBAL COMMUNITY | 101612110 | 515 | Groundwater |
| HARRISON CITY OF | ID1280083 | 456 | Groundwater |
| DESMET | 101600001 | 355 | Groundwater |
| COEUR D'ALENE SUB-AGENCY | 101600002 | 50 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Plummer'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.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
4 federal disaster declarations on record for Benewah County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Benewah County is in D2 (severe 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 Plummer compares
Scores for nearby Idaho cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Idaho average (43/100)
Plummer scores 44/100 — on par with the Idaho average of 43/100. It outscores 6 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 Plummer's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.1 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Plummer alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Plummer, ID tap water safe to drink?
Plummer's water quality earned a grade of F (44/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #128 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.
What contaminants are in Plummer's water?
Lead was measured at 6.1 ppb (90th percentile). 1001 violations are on record.
How is Plummer'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 Plummer?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Plummer's water come from?
Plummer's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 2,410 residents.
What health violations has Plummer's water system had?
Plummer has 24 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. 28 violations remain unresolved.
Is Plummer's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Plummer 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 1001 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 Plummer's water compare to other cities?
Plummer ranks #128 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 8% of state cities) and #14169 out of 15382 cities nationally (8th percentile). The grade of F reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.