Q. How do I know if my drinking water is safe?

 A.Sometimes water may look or smell bad, and still be safe. Even when water meets EPA standards, you may still object to its taste, smell, or appearance. Your water is tested regularly for bacteriological content.  Compounds such as iron, manganese, and other sediments may give your water the appearance of being "dirty" without affecting its microbiological quality. If you think you have a problem with your water, you should contact your local water system right away to discuss any concerns. If the system owner or operator is unavailable, contact your nearest DEQ regional office.

 A. Fire hydrant flushing and water main repairs can disturb sediments in water mains, resulting in red or brown-colored tap water. If you detect red or discolored water, turn on a single COLD water tap for a few minutes to flush any sediment out of your pipes. While red or discolored water is not a health concern, it can stain laundry. 

 Q. What about bottled water?

 Q. What are the drinking water standards for the state of Idaho?

 A. Idaho’s drinking water standards are the same as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards found in the federal Safe Drinking Water Act. Review EPA’s national drinking water standards for additional information on this subject.

 A. Public notification is a state and federal requirement intended to ensure that consumers will always know if there is a problem with their drinking water. Public water systems must notify the people who drink their water if the level of a contaminant in the water exceeds the state of Idaho drinking water regulations, if a waterborne disease outbreak occurs, or any other situation that may pose a risk to public health, and if the water system fails to test its water as required. These notices immediately alert consumers (within 24 hours or sooner) if there is a serious problem with their drinking water (e.g., a boil water emergency). For less serious problems (e.g., a missed water sampling test), water suppliers must notify consumers in a timely manner – depending on the violation – anywhere from three to twelve months.

 A. A boil water advisory is an advisory, issued by the owner or operator of a public water system or by DEQ, notifying the users of a water system that the water may be contaminated and to boil the water (a vigorous rolling boil for at least one minute) prior to using it for drinking or cooking until further notice. The advisory will also give the reason for its issuance and which corrective actions are being taken.  If your water supplier issues a BWA, be sure to follow the advisory instructions carefully.

 A. Emergency or short-term treatment of drinking water may be required when the water supply to your home is interrupted due to natural disasters, accidents, or other causes. Small quantities of water can be effectively disinfected through two general methods. One method is boiling, and it is the most positive method by which water can be made bacterially safe to drink. Another method is chemical treatment. If applied with care, certain chemicals will make most water free from harmful or pathogenic organisms. Always follow your water system’s emergency disinfection notice carefully.

 A. (1) Boiling: Vigorous boiling for one minute. The flat taste of boiled water can be improved by pouring it back and forth from one container to another (called aeration), by allowing it to stand for a few hours, or by adding a small pinch of salt for each quart of water boiled.  

(2) Chemical treatment: When boiling is not practical, chemical disinfection should be used. The two chemicals commonly used are chlorine and iodine.

For more details, see EPA’s Emergency Disinfection of Drinking Water Web site.

 A. The Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) is an annual water quality report, which systems classified as "community water systems" are required to provide their customers. The annual CCR tells consumers what is in their water, where it comes from, and where they can obtain additional information. CCRs are due by each July 1 and reports are for the period of the last calendar year.

 A. Drinking water fees are used to ensure safe drinking water for Idahoans through support of the state's drinking water program, which provides technical support and assistance to public water systems. 

 A. Most people being served by a public water system do not need to treat their drinking water at home to make it safe. If you have a private water supply, it is your responsibility to test your drinking water and to make sure that it is safe. As a private source, your test results may help determine if you need a home treatment unit.

A home water treatment unit may improve the taste of water, or provide an extra margin of safety for people more vulnerable to the effects of waterborne illness (people with severely compromised immune systems and children that may have special needs).  

Consumers who choose to purchase a home water treatment unit should "shop around" first. Carefully read the product information to understand what you are buying before purchasing. No single unit takes out every kind of drinking water contaminant; you must decide which type best meets your needs. Once purchased, be certain to follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer for operation and maintenance, especially changing the filter on a regular basis.

 A. All surface water systems, community systems, and nontransient noncommunity water systems must place their systems under the "direct responsible charge" of a properly licensed operator. All surface water systems must have an operator licensed for both distribution and treatment.

 A. Yes. To contract with a licensed operator, the first step is to go to DEQ’s list of licensed contract operators in your area willing to contract for services. Next, review DEQ’s hiring recommendations before entering into an agreement with a contractor operator.

> Link to More Detailed FAQs on Operator Licensing