Is Salmon, ID Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
45/100
waterverge.com Salmon, ID — Water Quality Report
Salmon's drinking water received a grade of D (45 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 3,535 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 314 violations on record, including 43 health-based violations. 21 remain unresolved.
What to know about Salmon's water
Salmon ranks #123 out of 139 cities in Idaho for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated 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.
The system has seen 46 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Salmon, ID water safe to drink?
Salmon's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 5 water systems serve approximately 3,535 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Salmon
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Salmon's water quality assessment. Grade: D (45/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lead and Copper Rule.
2 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Chlorine.
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 Salmon's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
Salmon's water system has 314 total violations on record, including 43 health-based violations. 21 remain unresolved. 46 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lemhi County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster 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 Salmon River, Lemhi River Below L5 Diversion.
Where does Salmon's water come from?
Salmon's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 5 water systems serving approximately 3,535 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment. Nearby water bodies include Salmon River (river), Lemhi River Below L5 Diversion (river).
What Salmon residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Salmon'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.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Drought conditions
D1 — moderate droughtLemhi County is currently in D1 (moderate 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
Lemhi County has experienced 1 federally declared disaster since 2005. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in Salmon'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. | 0.0 | 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. | 3.87 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how Salmon compares by contaminant
Explore where Salmon ranks among all Idaho cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Salmon's water comes from
Salmon'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 3,535 people through 5 water systems.
Water bodies near Salmon
Salmon 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 Salmon
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SALMON CITY OF | ID7300042 | 3,158 | SW |
| ELK BEND UNIT 1 | ID7300013 | 200 | GW |
| SUNSET HEIGHTS WATER DISTRICT | ID7300050 | 65 | GW |
| VALLEY VIEW HEIGHTS | ID7300057 | 65 | GW |
| SALMON RIVER MEADOWS MUTUAL WATER COMPAN | ID7300041 | 47 | GW |
How Salmon compares
Full Idaho rankings →Salmon's score of 45/100 is on par with the average of 43/100 among major Idaho cities. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Idaho rankings →About Salmon, ID
Wikipedia →Salmon is a city in Lemhi County, Idaho. The population was 3,119 at the 2020 census. The city is the county seat of Lemhi County.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Salmon's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lemhi
Frequently asked questions
Is Salmon, ID tap water safe to drink?
Salmon's water quality earned a grade of D (45/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #123 out of 139 cities tested in Idaho.
What contaminants are in Salmon's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 314 violations are on record.
How is Salmon'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 Salmon?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Salmon's water come from?
Salmon's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 5 water systems serving approximately 3,535 residents.
What health violations has Salmon's water system had?
Salmon has 43 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 21 violations remain unresolved.
How does Salmon's water compare to other cities?
Salmon ranks #123 out of 139 cities in Idaho (better than 12% of state cities) and #14254 out of 15744 cities nationally (10th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.