Sawtooth Estates Water Users water quality
1 contaminant above a federal limit. Hard, 8.8 gpg.
ID4200043. Data through 2026-08-26. DEQ record.
What's in it
Lead
Above limitAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum is certified to reduce it.
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.
HFPO-DA (GenX)
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
PFHxS
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
PFNA
ElevatedAquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum: manufacturer-reported, not certified.
9 other contaminants tested, not detected or well below the limit
Arsenic 2.6ppb Copper ND Fluoride 0.32ppm Gross Alpha ND Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1.5ppb Manganese ND Radium 226 + 228 ND Total Trihalomethanes 3.6ppb Uranium ND
Filters that match
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
under sink ro · diy
- HFPO-DA (GenX)removes it, per manufacturer testing
- Leadremoves it, NSF or WQA certified
- Nitrate (as N)removes it, NSF or WQA certified
- PFHxSremoves it, per manufacturer testing
- PFNAremoves it, per manufacturer testing
To cover everything flagged
- Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener softeneradds
Whirlpool WHES40E 40,000 Grain Water Softener for 8.8 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.
Full contaminants reporthighest, latest, limit, trend, last sample
| Contaminant | Highest, 36 mo | Federal limit | Share of limit | Status | Trend | Last sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arsenic | 2.6ppb | 10.0ppb MCL | Detected | 2025-05-06 | ||
| Copper | 0.08ppm latest ND | 1.30ppm AL | Detected | 2026-08-26 | ||
| Fluoride | 0.32ppm latest 0.21ppm | 4.00ppm MCL | Detected | 2025-05-06 | ||
| Gross Alpha | ND | 15.0pCi/L MCL | Not detected | 2025-06-25 | ||
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 1.5ppb | 60.0ppb MCL | Detected | 2025-07-15 | ||
| Hardness (as CaCO3) | 8.8gpg | none | no federal limit | Meets | 2023-09-13 | |
| HFPO-DA (GenX) | 6.0ppt latest 3.9ppt | 10.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2025-04-01 | ||
| Lead | 16.0ppb | 15.0ppb AL | Above limit | 2026-08-26 | ||
| Manganese | ND | 50.0ppb aesthetic | Not detected | 2025-04-01 | ||
| Nitrate (as N) | 7.90ppm latest 4.80ppm | 10.00ppm MCL | Elevated | 2026-08-20 | ||
| PFHxS | 2.7ppt latest 1.4ppt | 10.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2025-04-01 | ||
| PFNA | 2.8ppt latest 1.1ppt | 10.0ppt MCL | Elevated | 2025-04-01 | ||
| Radium 226 + 228 | ND | 5.00pCi/L MCL | Not detected | 2026-06-17 | ||
| Total Trihalomethanes | 3.6ppb | 80.0ppb MCL | Detected | 2025-07-15 | ||
| Uranium | 1.0ppb latest ND | 30.0ppb MCL | Detected | 2025-06-25 |
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.
14 other regulated contaminants tested
| Contaminant | 36 mo max | Limit | Status | Last sample |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antimony | ND | 6.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Atrazine | ND | 3.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-06-25 |
| Barium | 0.16ppm | 2.00ppm | Detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Benzene | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-06-17 |
| Beryllium | ND | 4.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Cadmium | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Chromium (total) | ND | 0.10ppm | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
| 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane | ND | 0.2ppb | Not detected | 2025-06-25 |
| Mercury (inorganic) | ND | 2.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-06-17 |
| Selenium | ND | 50.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Sodium | 33.30ppm | none | Detected | 2025-05-06 |
| Trichloroethylene | ND | 5.0ppb | Not detected | 2026-06-17 |
| Thallium | ND | 2.0ppb | Not detected | 2025-05-06 |
Hardness
Sawtooth Estates Water Users reports hardness of 8.8 grains per gallon (151 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.
Track record3 violations on record, 0 health-based
✓ 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 (3)
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.
| Year | Rule | Count | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Lead and Copper Rule | 1 | Lead service line replacement (LCR) |
| 2017 | Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule | 1 | Monitoring and reporting (DBP) · Chlorine (residual) |
| 2017 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | 1 | Monitoring, routine (RTCR) |
Lead and copper at the tap90th percentile of sampled homes against the action level
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.
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 from2 active wells
2 active wells, and 2 treatment points on record (SDWIS counts each chlorination or filtration point as a treatment plant).
WELL #2: 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:L Microbials:L SOC:L VOC:L]; system construction M;
Source names (2)
WELL #1, WELL #2
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.
Aquasana OptimH2O Reverse Osmosis + Claryum
Certified for lead, nitrate, and arsenic (NSF/ANSI 58, pentavalent); manufacturer-reported for PFHxS, PFNA, and HFPO-DA.
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 lead, PFHxS, and PFNA (NSF/ANSI 53). Does not address nitrate.
DIY. No plumbing.
Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher
Certified for lead, total trihalomethanes, and haloacetic acids (NSF/ANSI 53); manufacturer-reported for nitrate, PFHxS, and PFNA.
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 lead. Does not address nitrate, PFHxS, and PFNA and 1 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 lead, nitrate, and PFHxS and 2 more.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with this install.
Crystal Quest Ultimate Whole House Arsenic Removal Filter (Triple Cartridge, 4-6 GPM)
Manufacturer-reported reduction for arsenic. Does not address lead, nitrate, and PFHxS and 2 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 and barium (NSF/ANSI 44). Does not address lead, nitrate, and PFHxS and 2 more.
DIY if you are comfortable with this install.
Aquasure Serene Lite 650K Salt-Free Water Conditioner with Triple Purpose Pre-Filter
Manufacturer-reported reduction for hardness. Does not address lead, nitrate, and PFHxS and 2 more.
Plumber recommended if you are not comfortable with this install.
Whirlpool WHES30E 30,000 Grain Water Softener
Certified for hardness (NSF/ANSI 44). Does not address lead, nitrate, and PFHxS and 2 more.
DIY if you are comfortable with this install.
Questions about Sawtooth Estates Water Users
Is Sawtooth Estates Water Users tap water safe to drink?
In the last 36 months at least one result for Sawtooth Estates Water Users was above a federal limit: Lead. 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 Sawtooth Estates Water Users water hard?
Sawtooth Estates Water Users reports hardness of 8.8 grains per gallon (151 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 Sawtooth Estates Water Users water fluoridated?
Fluoride was measured at up to 0.32 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 Sawtooth Estates Water Users water come from?
Sawtooth Estates Water Users draws from 2 active wells with 2 treatment plants on record. Source and treatment details are listed above.
What filter fits Sawtooth Estates Water Users 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.
What was above the limit in Sawtooth Estates Water Users water?
Lead. 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: DOW, DON AND JUDY, 208-587-9521
- 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 2026-08-26; inventory and violations from EPA SDWIS; page built 2026-09-14. 87 individual results reviewed.
More: Elmore County, Nitrate (as N), Lead, 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.