Lead Service Lines in Coeur d'Alene
About this water system
Coeur d'Alene City serves about 54,115 people in Idaho. The system draws water from groundwater sources.
Lead service line inventory status
The utility has not yet completed a lead service line inventory. This means the water system has not yet publicly documented how many homes are connected by lead pipes—or pipes of unknown material—versus safer alternatives.
Under the Safe Drinking Water Act, all US water systems are required to inventory their lead service lines and share that information with the public by October 2024 (with some extensions possible for larger systems). Coeur d'Alene has not yet posted this inventory online.
What this means for residents
If you live in Coeur d'Alene, you don't know yet whether your home has a lead service line—the underground pipe connecting the water main to your house. Your home may have lead, or it may have copper, plastic, or another material. The only way to find out is to:
1. Ask the utility directly. Contact Coeur d'Alene City's water department and give them your address. They may have records even if the inventory isn't public yet. 2. Check your property records. If your house was built before 1986 (when lead pipes were still common), lead is more likely. 3. Get a test. A simple water test can detect lead at your tap. The EPA recommends this if you're concerned, especially if you have young children or are pregnant.
If you do have a lead service line, the good news is that lead in water can be reduced significantly by using a certified filter and running cold water before drinking it. But replacement—removing and installing new pipes—is the only permanent solution.
Finding help
Contact the Coeur d'Alene City water utility directly to ask about their inventory timeline and whether they have records for your address. For health questions about lead exposure, consult your doctor or the CDC's lead resources.
Next steps for residents
- Call or email your water utility and ask whether your home has a lead service line on file
- If you're concerned about lead, consider getting your water tested by a certified lab
- If you have young children or pregnant household members, discuss lead exposure risk with your pediatrician or doctor
- Check back on this page or the utility's website for the completed inventory when it becomes available
Key figures
| Total inventoried lines | 0 |
|---|---|
| BIL/IIJA funding received | — |
| Replacement plan status | Not reported |
| Utility's LCRR inventory | Not provided |
Frequently asked
Does Coeur d'Alene have lead in the water?
Lead gets into water through service lines and indoor pipes, not from the treatment plant. Coeur d'Alene's inventory isn't complete yet, so residents don't know yet whether their specific homes have lead lines. Contact the utility with your address to ask.
How do I know if my house has a lead service line?
Call Coeur d'Alene City water department with your address—they may have records. Homes built before 1986 are more likely to have lead. A water test can also detect lead at your tap.
Is lead in drinking water dangerous?
Lead can harm brain development in young children and cause health problems in adults. For health concerns, talk to your doctor or visit CDC.gov/lead. Using a certified filter and flushing cold water before drinking can reduce exposure.
When will Coeur d'Alene publish its lead service line inventory?
The utility is required to complete and share this inventory under federal law, but no date has been posted yet. Contact the water department or check their website for updates.