Tap and WellTreasure Valley water, from the public record

Garden City Water and Sewer System water quality

1 contaminant above a federal limit. Hard, 9.9 gpg.

ID4010066. Data through 2026-06-16. DEQ record.

What's in it

PFOS

Elevated
25.5ppt of 4.0ppt federal limit

PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System is certified to reduce it.

Manganese

Aesthetic issue
247.0ppb of 50.0ppb aesthetic standard

oxidation filtration or manganese greensand.

Iron

Aesthetic issue
0.92ppm of 0.30ppm aesthetic standard

oxidation filtration or manganese greensand.

PFHxS

Above limit
11.6ppt of 10.0ppt federal limit

PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System is certified to reduce it.

PFNA

Elevated
7.6ppt of 10.0ppt federal limit

PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System is certified to reduce it.

4.2ppt of 10.0ppt federal limit

PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System is certified to reduce it.

Arsenic

Elevated
3.8ppb of 10.0ppb federal limit

reverse osmosis or adsorptive media.

PFBS

Elevated
6.7ppt

PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System is certified to reduce it.

8 other contaminants tested, not detected or well below the limit

Fluoride 0.43ppm Gross Alpha ND Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) ND Nitrate (as N) ND PFOA ND Radium 226 + 228 ND Total Trihalomethanes 3.3ppb Uranium 3.0ppb

Filters that match

Start with this

PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System

faucet mount · diy

  • Arsenicdoes not address it
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)removes it, NSF or WQA certified
  • Irondoes not address it
  • Manganesedoes not address it
  • PFBSremoves it, NSF or WQA certified
  • PFHxSremoves it, NSF or WQA certified
  • PFNAremoves it, NSF or WQA certified
  • PFOSremoves it, NSF or WQA certified
Detections ranked by share of the limitevery Tier 1 detection, highest first
25.5ppt of 4.0ppt
lab result 28.2ppt
6.4x
Elevated avg
11.6ppt of 10.0ppt
lab result 25.4ppt
1.2x
Above limit avg
7.6ppt of 10.0ppt
lab result 8.2ppt
76%
Elevated avg
4.2ppt of 10.0ppt
lab result 6.3ppt
42%
Elevated avg
3.8ppb of 10.0ppb
38%
Elevated avg
1.36pCi/L of 5.00pCi/L
27%
Detected avg
0.43ppm of 4.00ppm
11%
Detected avg
2.0ppb of 30.0ppb
lab result 3.0ppb
7%
Detected avg
0.50ppm of 10.00ppm
5%
Detected
2.2ppb of 80.0ppb
lab result 3.3ppb
3%
Detected avg

Bar length is the highest result in the last 36 months as a share of the federal limit (MCL, or action level for lead and copper). The dark tick marks the limit. Gross alpha is compared after subtracting uranium, as DEQ does for compliance.

Aesthetic and unregulated

Taste, odor, staining or scale, not health limits. Bars use the EPA secondary standard where one exists.

247.0ppb of 50.0ppb
4.9x
Aesthetic issue
0.92ppm of 0.30ppm
3.1x
Aesthetic issue
no standard
6.7ppt
Elevated
Full contaminants reporthighest, latest, limit, trend, last sample
ContaminantHighest, 36 moFederal limitShare of limitStatusTrendLast sample
Arsenic3.8ppb10.0ppb MCL38%Elevated2025-08-06
Fluoride0.43ppm4.00ppm MCL11%Detected2023-11-01
Gross AlphaND15.0pCi/L MCLNDNot detected2025-09-04
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)ND60.0ppb MCLNDNot detected2025-08-21
Hardness (as CaCO3)11.0gpg
latest 9.9gpg
noneno federal limitMeets2025-12-31
HFPO-DA (GenX)6.3ppt
latest ND
10.0ppt MCL42%Elevated2026-06-16 EPA study
Iron0.92ppm
latest ND
0.30ppm aesthetic3.1xAesthetic issue2026-01-15
Manganese247.0ppb
latest 233.0ppb
50.0ppb aesthetic4.9xAesthetic issue2026-01-15
Nitrate (as N)0.50ppm
latest ND
10.00ppm MCL5%Detected2026-06-16
PFBS6.7ppt
latest ND
noneno federal limitElevated2024-10-14 EPA study
PFHxS25.4ppt
latest ND
10.0ppt MCL1.2xAbove limit2026-06-16 EPA study
PFNA8.2ppt
latest ND
10.0ppt MCL76%Elevated2024-10-14 EPA study
PFOAND4.0ppt MCLNDNot detected2024-10-14 EPA study
PFOSnote28.2ppt
latest ND
4.0ppt MCL6.4xElevated2024-10-14 EPA study
Radium 226 + 2281.36pCi/L
latest ND
5.00pCi/L MCL27%Detected2025-09-04
Total Trihalomethanes3.3ppb
latest 1.1ppb
80.0ppb MCL3%Detected2025-08-21
Uranium3.0ppb30.0ppb MCL7%Detected2025-09-04
  • PFOS: Detected in EPA's UCMR 5 monitoring study at or above the 2024 MCL. Study samples are not compliance monitoring; compliance sampling under the PFAS rule begins in 2027 and is judged on a running annual average.

ppb = parts per billion (µg/L), ppm = parts per million (mg/L), ppt = parts per trillion. ND = not detected above the lab's reporting limit. MCL = federal maximum contaminant level; AL = action level for lead and copper (90th percentile of home taps); aesthetic = secondary standard for taste, odor or staining, not health. Bars show the highest result in 36 months as a share of the limit.

17 other regulated contaminants tested
Contaminant36 mo maxLimitStatusLast sample
AntimonyND6.0ppbNot detected2023-11-01
AtrazineND3.0ppbNot detected2025-11-12
Barium0.02ppm2.00ppmDetected2023-11-01
BenzeneND5.0ppbNot detected2026-05-18
BerylliumND4.0ppbNot detected2023-11-01
CadmiumND5.0ppbNot detected2023-11-01
Chromium (total)ND0.10ppmNot detected2023-11-01
CyanideND0.20ppmNot detected2023-11-01
1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropaneND0.2ppbNot detected2025-11-12
Lithium78.1ppbnoneDetected2024-10-14
Mercury (inorganic)ND2.0ppbNot detected2023-11-01
Nitrite (as N)ND1.00ppmNot detected2023-11-01
Tetrachloroethylene0.7ppb5.0ppbDetected2026-05-18
SeleniumND50.0ppbNot detected2023-11-01
Sodium24.90ppmnoneDetected2025-09-04
Trichloroethylene0.7ppb5.0ppbDetected2026-05-18
ThalliumND2.0ppbNot detected2023-11-01

Hardness

Garden City Water and Sewer System reports hardness of 9.9 grains per gallon (170 mg/L as CaCO3), classified as hard in its 2025 Consumer Confidence Report. At 7 grains per gallon or more, a correctly sized softener usually pays for itself in appliance life and soap. Hardness is not a federal health violation.

See also Boise City water hardness.

Track record30 violations on record, 0 health-based
29 2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
1 2022
2023
2024
2025
2026

no violation recorded n monitoring or reporting only n includes a health-based violation ? outside the loaded record

No health-based violations (MCL, treatment technique, or disinfectant level) in the last ten years.

Monitoring and reporting violations (30)

A required sample or report was late or missing. These do not mean a contaminant was found, but a system that skips monitoring has gaps in its record.

YearRuleCountDetail
2022Ground Water Rule1
2017Synthetic Organic Chemicals29Routine monitoring, major · 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane, Atrazine
Lead and copper at the tap90th percentile of sampled homes against the action level

No lead and copper tap sampling summary in the window we reviewed.

Where the water comes from9 active wells

9 active wells, and 8 treatment points on record (SDWIS counts each chlorination or filtration point as a treatment plant).

WELL #12-MILLST BACK UP WELL: Susceptibility: ioc high (auto), voc high (auto), soc high (auto), microbial high (auto).

Source water assessment susceptibility: final map[IOC:Auto High Microbials:Auto High SOC:Auto High VOC:Auto High]; hydrologic sensitivity H; pci land use map[IOC:M Microbials:M SOC:M VOC:M]; system construction M;

Source names (9)

WELL #10, WELL #12-MILLST BACK UP WELL, WELL #13, WELL #4, WELL #5, WELL #6, WELL #7, WELL #8, WELL #9

Every match, by categorytop three per category

We may earn a commission if you buy through these links. Rankings come from the matching engine (certification + flagged contaminants + annual cost), not from who pays more. How we earn money. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices are not shown; Amazon sets them on its site.

Drinking water

Under sink, pitcher, or faucet. Treats the water you drink and cook with.

Also fits under sink ro · DIY

Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum

Certified for arsenic, PFOS, and nitrate (NSF/ANSI 58, pentavalent); manufacturer-reported for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA. Does not address iron and manganese.

Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with a drain saddle and a tank. Not a whole-house solution.

Certified forArsenic, Nitrate (as N), Fluoride, PFOS and 3 more
Manufacturer-reported, not certifiedUranium, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX) and 2 more

Whole house

Installed where water enters the house. For fixtures, laundry and showers.

Softener or conditioner

Worth it at 7 grains per gallon or more.

Ranked first for this water salt softener · DIY

Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener

Certified for hardness, radium 226 + 228, and barium (NSF/ANSI 44); manufacturer-reported for iron. Does not address PFHxS, arsenic, and PFOS and 4 more.

DIY if you are comfortable with this install.

Certified forRadium 226 + 228, Barium, Hardness (as CaCO3)
Manufacturer-reported, not certifiedIron
Also fits salt softener · DIY

Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Water Softener

Certified for hardness (NSF/ANSI 44); manufacturer-reported for iron. Does not address PFHxS, arsenic, and PFOS and 4 more.

DIY if you are comfortable with this install.

Certified forHardness (as CaCO3)
Manufacturer-reported, not certifiedIron
Also fits salt softener · DIY

Whirlpool WHES33 33,000 Grain Water Softener

Certified for hardness (NSF/ANSI 44); manufacturer-reported for iron. Does not address PFHxS, arsenic, and PFOS and 4 more.

DIY if you are comfortable with this install.

Certified forHardness (as CaCO3)
Manufacturer-reported, not certifiedIron
Pairing. The water is hard enough that an RO membrane will scale. Pair with a softener if you also want whole-house scale control.

Questions about Garden City Water and Sewer System

Is Garden City Water and Sewer System tap water safe to drink?

In the last 36 months at least one result for Garden City Water and Sewer System was above a federal limit: PFHxS. A single high sample is not always a violation because compliance is often judged on a running average; the violations section shows what EPA recorded. Results reflect the system's sampling points, not the plumbing in any one home.

Is Garden City Water and Sewer System water hard?

Garden City Water and Sewer System reports hardness of 9.9 grains per gallon (170 mg/L as CaCO3), classified as hard. Hardness is not a health issue. At 7 grains or more most households see scale and soap scum; a softener is a reasonable choice.

Is Garden City Water and Sewer System water fluoridated?

Fluoride was measured at up to 0.43 mg/L, below the 0.7 mg/L level used for community fluoridation, so it is naturally occurring rather than added. The federal limit (MCL) is 4 mg/L.

Where does Garden City Water and Sewer System water come from?

Garden City Water and Sewer System draws from 9 active wells with 8 treatment plants on record. Source and treatment details are listed above.

What filter fits Garden City Water and Sewer System water?

For drinking water the matching engine ranks PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System first for this profile, based on certified reduction claims for the contaminants flagged above. See the filters section for the reasoning and alternatives.

What was above the limit in Garden City Water and Sewer System water?

PFHxS. Compare the value with the limit in the ranked chart and the full report above, and check the violations section for whether EPA recorded a violation.

Who to call

  • System contact: VAUGHN, CHAD, 208-472-2949
  • DEQ Boise Regional Office, 1445 N Orchard St, Boise ID 83706, (208) 373-0550
  • Central District Health (well testing, septic, local health questions)

Sources

Sample results as of 2026-06-16; inventory and violations from EPA SDWIS; page built 2026-09-14. 301 individual results reviewed.

More: Boise City water, Garden City water, Ada County, Arsenic, Iron, Manganese, PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX), PFBS

Numbers are the system's samples at its taps and wells, not yours. Lead and copper are 90th percentiles from sampled homes. Well pages are nearby-sample estimates. Health text restates EPA and DEQ. Methodology.