Meridian Water Department water quality
Met every federal limit. 6 contaminants at half a limit or higher. Hard, 7.6 gpg.
ID4010097. Data through 2026-07-30. DEQ record.
What's in it
PFOS
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum is certified to reduce it.
Uranium
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
Nitrate (as N)
ElevatedEPA: infants below the age of six months who drink water containing nitrate in excess of the MCL could become seriously ill and, if untreated, may die.
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum is certified to reduce it.
PFHxS
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
PFNA
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
HFPO-DA (GenX)
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
13 other contaminants tested, not detected or well below the limit
Arsenic ND Copper 0.14ppm Fluoride 0.82ppm Gross Alpha 37.5pCi/L Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) ND Iron ND Lead 3.9ppb Manganese ND PFBS ND PFOA ND Radium 226 + 228 2.47pCi/L Total Dissolved Solids 270.00ppm Total Trihalomethanes 14.0ppb
Filters that match
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
under sink ro · diy
- HFPO-DA (GenX)removes it, per manufacturer testing
- Nitrate (as N)removes it, NSF or WQA certified
- PFHxSremoves it, per manufacturer testing
- PFNAremoves it, per manufacturer testing
- PFOSremoves it, NSF or WQA certified
- Uraniumremoves it, per manufacturer testing
To cover everything flagged
- Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener softeneradds
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener for 7.6 gpg hardness.
Detections ranked by share of the limitevery Tier 1 detection, highest first
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.
Full contaminants reporthighest, latest, limit, trend, last sample
| Contaminant | Highest, 36 mo | Federal limit | Share of limit | Status | Trend | Last sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 4.9ppb latest ND | 10.0ppb MCL | Detected | 2026-03-24 | ||
| Copper 90th percentile at home taps note | 0.14ppm latest 0.12ppm | 1.30ppm AL | Detected | 2026-06-30 | ||
| Fluoride | 0.82ppm latest 0.45ppm | 4.00ppm MCL | Detected | 2026-02-26 | ||
| Gross Alphanote | 37.5pCi/L latest 23.2pCi/L | 15.0pCi/L MCL | Not detected | 2026-07-29 | ||
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | ND | 60.0ppb MCL | Not detected | 2026-07-30 | ||
| Hardness (as CaCO3) | 7.6gpg | none | no federal limit | Meets | 2023-09-26 | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 1.3ppt latest ND | 10.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2026-06-02 EPA study | ||
| Iron | 0.02ppm latest ND | 0.30ppm aesthetic | Detected | 2026-03-24 | ||
| Lead 90th percentile at home taps note | 3.9ppb | 15.0ppb AL | Detected | 2026-06-30 | ||
| Manganese | ND | 50.0ppb aesthetic | Not detected | 2026-03-24 | ||
| Nitrate (as N) | 5.60ppm latest 0.80ppm | 10.00ppm MCL | Elevated | 2026-06-24 | ||
| PFBS | ND | none | Not detected | 2025-09-24 EPA study | ||
| PFHxS | 4.0ppt latest ND | 10.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2026-06-02 EPA study | ||
| PFNA | 3.0ppt latest ND | 10.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2026-06-02 EPA study | ||
| PFOA | ND | 4.0ppt MCL | Not detected | 2025-12-09 EPA study | ||
| PFOSnote | 4.9ppt latest ND | 4.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2025-12-09 EPA study | ||
| Radium 226 + 228 | 2.47pCi/L latest 0.57pCi/L | 5.00pCi/L MCL | Detected | 2026-03-24 | ||
| Total Dissolved Solids | 270.00ppm | 500.00ppm aesthetic | Detected | 2023-09-26 | ||
| Total Trihalomethanes | 14.0ppb latest 1.6ppb | 80.0ppb MCL | Detected | 2026-07-30 | ||
| Uranium | 41.8ppb latest 32.8ppb | 30.0ppb MCL | Elevated | 2026-07-29 |
- Copper: 90th percentile of samples taken at customer taps. Results depend on the home's plumbing.
- Gross Alpha: Compliance uses the running average of gross alpha minus uranium. Shown value is the highest lab result; the adjusted average is 0.0 pCi/L after subtracting 15.02 pCi/L for uranium.
- Lead: 90th percentile of samples taken at customer taps. Results depend on the home's plumbing.
- 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
| Contaminant | 36 mo max | Limit | Status | Last sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony | ND | 6.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Atrazine | 0.2ppb | 3.0ppb | Detected | 2026-07-29 |
| Barium | 0.13ppm | 2.00ppm | Detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Benzene | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-06-02 |
| Beryllium | ND | 4.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Cadmium | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Chromium (total) | 0.00ppm | 0.10ppm | Detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Cyanide | ND | 0.20ppm | Not detected | 2023-09-26 |
| 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane | ND | 0.2ppb | Not detected | 2026-03-30 |
| Lithium | 99.5ppb | none | Detected | 2025-09-24 |
| Mercury (inorganic) | ND | 2.0ppb | Not detected | 2023-09-26 |
| Nitrite (as N) | ND | 1.00ppm | Not detected | 2026-06-24 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | 0.5ppb | 5.0ppb | Detected | 2026-06-02 |
| Selenium | ND | 50.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Sodium | 100.00ppm | none | Detected | 2026-03-24 |
| Trichloroethylene | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-06-02 |
| Thallium | ND | 2.0ppb | Not detected | 2023-09-26 |
Hardness
Meridian Water Department reports hardness of 7.6 grains per gallon (130 mg/L as CaCO3), classified as hard in DEQ compliance sampling. 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 recordno violations in the last ten years
✓ no violation recorded n monitoring or reporting only n includes a health-based violation ? outside the loaded record
Lead and copper at the tap90th percentile of sampled homes against the action level
90th percentile of samples taken at customer taps. Results depend on the home's plumbing. Results are from sampled homes in this system, not from your tap. Home plumbing can add lead and copper. First-draw samples run higher than flushed ones.
90th percentile of samples taken at customer taps. Results depend on the home's plumbing. Results are from sampled homes in this system, not from your tap. Home plumbing can add lead and copper. First-draw samples run higher than flushed ones.
Where the water comes from25 active wells
25 active wells, and 26 treatment points on record (SDWIS counts each chlorination or filtration point as a treatment plant).
WELL #19: Susceptibility: ioc moderate, voc moderate, soc moderate, microbial moderate.
Source water assessment susceptibility: final map[IOC:Moderate Microbials:Moderate SOC:Moderate VOC:Moderate]; hydrologic sensitivity M; pci land use map[IOC:M Microbials:M SOC:M VOC:M]; system construction L;
Source names (25)
WELL #10B, WELL #11, WELL #12, WELL #14, WELL #15, WELL #16B, WELL #16C, WELL #17, WELL #18, WELL #19, WELL #20, WELL #21, WELL #22, WELL #23, WELL #24, WELL #25, WELL #26, WELL #27, WELL #28, WELL #29, WELL #30, WELL #31, WELL #32, WELL #9C, WELL 20B
Every match, by categorytop three per category
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Drinking water
Under sink, pitcher, or faucet. Treats the water you drink and cook with.
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
Certified for nitrate, PFOS, and arsenic (NSF/ANSI 58, pentavalent); manufacturer-reported for uranium, PFHxS, and PFNA.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with a drain saddle and a tank. Not a whole-house solution.
Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless Reverse Osmosis with UV
Certified for PFOS and total dissolved solids (NSF/ANSI 58); manufacturer-reported for uranium, nitrate, and PFHxS.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with a drain saddle and a tank. Not a whole-house solution.
PUR Basic Vertical Faucet Mount Filter System
Certified for PFOS, PFHxS, and PFNA (NSF/ANSI 53). Does not address uranium and nitrate.
DIY. No plumbing.
Whole house
Installed where water enters the house. For fixtures, laundry and showers.
Express Water WH300SCKS 3-Stage Heavy Metal Whole House Filter (Sediment, KDF, Carbon)
Manufacturer-reported reduction for iron and lead. Does not address uranium, nitrate, and PFOS and 3 more.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with this install.
Aquasana Rhino EQ-1000 Whole House Filter (1,000,000 gallons)
Manufacturer-reported reduction for total trihalomethanes. Does not address uranium, nitrate, and PFOS and 3 more.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with this install.
iSpring WGB32BM 3-Stage Whole House Iron and Manganese Filter
Manufacturer-reported reduction for iron. Does not address uranium, nitrate, and PFOS and 3 more.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with this install.
Softener or conditioner
Worth it at 7 grains per gallon or more.
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 uranium, nitrate, and PFOS and 3 more.
DIY if you are comfortable with this install.
Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Water Softener
Certified for hardness (NSF/ANSI 44); manufacturer-reported for iron. Does not address uranium, nitrate, and PFOS and 3 more.
DIY if you are comfortable with this install.
Whirlpool WHES33 33,000 Grain Water Softener
Certified for hardness (NSF/ANSI 44); manufacturer-reported for iron. Does not address uranium, nitrate, and PFOS and 3 more.
DIY if you are comfortable with this install.
Questions about Meridian Water Department
Is Meridian Water Department tap water safe to drink?
Meridian Water Department met every federal limit in the last 36 months, with no open health-based violation. 6 contaminants were at half the limit or higher: HFPO-DA (GenX), Nitrate (as N), PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS and Uranium. The results table shows each value against its limit. Results reflect the system's sampling points, not the plumbing in any one home.
Is Meridian Water Department water hard?
Meridian Water Department reports hardness of 7.6 grains per gallon (130 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 Meridian Water Department water fluoridated?
Fluoride was measured at up to 0.82 mg/L in the last 36 months, in the range used for community fluoridation (0.7 mg/L). The federal limit (MCL) is 4 mg/L. Reverse osmosis is an optional preference if you want less fluoride.
Where does Meridian Water Department water come from?
Meridian Water Department draws from 25 active wells with 26 treatment plants on record. Source and treatment details are listed above.
What filter fits Meridian Water Department water?
For drinking water the matching engine ranks Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum first for this profile, based on certified reduction claims for the contaminants flagged above. See the filters section for the reasoning and alternatives.
Who to call
- System contact: TELLER, DENNIS M, 208-985-1200
- 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 2026-07-30; inventory and violations from EPA SDWIS; page built 2026-09-14. 1,694 individual results reviewed.
More: Boise City water, Meridian water, Ada County, Uranium, Nitrate (as N), PFOS, PFHxS, PFNA, HFPO-DA (GenX)
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.