01The verdict: is Priest River water safe?
Priest River's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (78.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,330 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
5 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 0.0 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓3 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 ↓Priest River's drinking water received a grade of B (78.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 3 water systems serve approximately 2,330 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 143 violations on record, including 76 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
Priest River ranks #59 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it mid-range 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, Priest River may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Priest River's water
Every contaminant flagged in Priest River, 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. | 0.0 | 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
03Priest River'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 143 violations on record, including 76 health-based violations. 5 remain unresolved.
4 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.
▼ Down 8 ppb since 1998. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2025) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Priest River's water comes from
Priest River'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.
3 systems
3 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,330 people
Residents served across Priest River'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,330 people through 3 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRIEST RIVER CITY OF | ID1090107 | 2,173 | Surface Water |
| SCENIC MOBILE ESTATES | ID1280023 | 85 | Groundwater |
| PONDEROSA MOBILE HOME PARK | ID1090059 | 72 | Groundwater |
Water bodies near Priest River
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Priest River's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Priest River'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
4 facilities 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 Bonner County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Bonner 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 Priest River compares
Scores for nearby Idaho cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Idaho average (43/100)
Priest River scores 78.3/100 — 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 Priest River's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Priest River'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 Priest River 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 Priest River, ID tap water safe to drink?
Priest River's water quality earned a grade of B (78.3/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #59 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.
What contaminants are in Priest River's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 143 violations are on record.
How is Priest River'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 Priest River?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Priest River's water come from?
Priest River's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 3 water systems serving approximately 2,330 residents.
What health violations has Priest River's water system had?
Priest River has 76 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Priest River's water compare to other cities?
Priest River ranks #59 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 58% of state cities) and #8622 out of 15382 cities nationally (44th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.