Lead Service Lines in Idaho Falls, ID
Idaho Falls serves about 116,000 people across 110 water systems. The good news: your water utility is required by federal law to test for lead and report results publicly. The challenge is that many utilities, including those serving Idaho Falls, haven't yet disclosed how many lead service lines (the pipes connecting homes to the main water line) are in their systems.
What you need to know
Lead service lines are a real concern, but manageable. Lead doesn't dissolve in water on its own—it leaches when water is corrosive (acidic or low in minerals). Most Idaho Falls water systems add treatment to prevent this, but old pipes can still be a source. Children under 6 and pregnant people are most at risk from even small amounts of lead.
Your utility should have an inventory. Federal rules require water systems to identify and track lead service lines. The Idaho Falls City of (serving about 69,000 people) and Falls Water Company Inc (serving about 22,650) are the two largest systems in the area. If either has completed a lead service line inventory, they must share it with you on request—often free.
You can't see lead in water. It's odorless, colorless, and tasteless. The only way to know if your home has a lead service line or if your water contains lead is to ask your utility or test the water.
Next steps for residents
- Contact your water utility (see the list of major systems above by name and ID number) and ask: "Do you have a lead service line inventory? Does my address have a lead service line?" They're required to answer.
- Request a free water test from your utility if you're concerned about lead levels in your home. Many systems offer this.
- If your home has a lead service line, talk to your doctor or call the CDC's hotline (1-800-CDC-INFO) about testing children and pregnant household members.
- Consider a pitcher or faucet filter rated NSF/ANSI 53 for lead as a temporary measure while you investigate further.