Well water in Bingham County, Idaho
In Bingham County, 8% of 251 tested well samples exceeded the EPA limit for nitrate (10 mg/L), based on public data from Idaho statewide ground water quality monitoring (IDWR EDMS) and USGS Water Quality Portal.
251 individual samples from 54 wells, 1956 to 2025. Data refreshed September 9, 2026.
What individual samples found
Each row summarizes every public sample for that contaminant inside Bingham County. Above limit means above the EPA maximum contaminant level; where EPA has no enforceable limit, the row shows a health guideline or nuisance level instead.
| Contaminant | Samples | Detected | Above limit | Median | Highest | Limit | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Radium (226 + 228) 1989 to 2015 | 10 | 60% | 10% | 0.06 | 28.1 | 5 pCi/L EPA limit | |
| Nitrate 1989 to 2025 | 251 | 99% | 8% | 1.85 | 47.3 | 10 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Uranium 1956 to 2025 | 61 | 74% | 2% | 1.7 | 136 | 30 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Fluoride 1970 to 2025 | 249 | 100% | 0% | 0.525 | 1 | 4 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Arsenic 1990 to 2025 | 230 | 87% | 0% | 2.1 | 8 | 10 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Nitrite 1991 to 2011 | 174 | 7% | 0% | 0 | 0.027 | 1 mg/L EPA limit | |
| E. coli 1990 to 2008 | 151 | 0% | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0 MPN/100mL EPA limit | |
| Copper 1990 to 2020 | 137 | 75% | 0% | 0.001 | 0.016 | 1.3 mg/L EPA limit | |
| Lead 1977 to 2002 | 82 | 7% | 0% | 0 | 3 | 15 ug/L EPA limit | |
| Sodium 1963 to 2025 | 250 | 100% | no limit | 16 | 120 | 20 mg/L health guideline | |
| Chloride 1982 to 2025 | 248 | 100% | no limit | 14 | 160 | 250 mg/L nuisance level | |
| Manganese 1990 to 2025 | 230 | 20% | no limit | 0 | 144 | 300 ug/L health guideline | |
| Iron 1985 to 2025 | 228 | 29% | no limit | 0 | 1,200 | 300 ug/L nuisance level | |
| Radon 1989 to 1995 | 62 | 100% | no limit | 297 | 900 | 2,000 pCi/L health guideline |
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What this means
The contaminants most often above their limit here are radium (226 + 228) (10% of 10 samples), nitrate (8% of 251 samples), and uranium (2% of 61 samples). A well next door can differ sharply from yours because bedrock fractures, well depth and plumbing all matter, so these rates describe the area, not your tap.
Chloride is widespread in local groundwater. It is mainly a staining and taste problem, but high manganese also carries a health advisory for infants.
What to test for in Bingham County
- Radium (226 + 228)10% of 10 local samples were above the limit.
- Nitrate8% of 251 local samples were above the limit.
- Uranium2% of 61 local samples were above the limit.
- Coliform bacteriaRecommended for every private well, every year.
- RadonMedian local reading is 297 pCi/L.
- FluorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
- ChlorideDetected in 100% of local samples.
Treatment that fits the local profile
- Radium (226 + 228)
- Water softener (cation exchange); Point-of-use reverse osmosis
- Nitrate
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Anion exchange; Distillation
- Uranium
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Anion exchange; Whole-house anion exchange
- Fluoride
- Point-of-use reverse osmosis; Activated alumina; Distillation
- Copper
- Neutralizing filter to raise pH; Point-of-use reverse osmosis
Get your Bingham County water tested at home
A licensed local water treatment company tests your tap water in your home, walks you through the numbers, and quotes treatment only if something needs fixing. Free, about 30 minutes, no obligation. Tell us what you need and we match you with a company that serves Bingham County.
Common questions
Is there arsenic in well water in Bingham County?
Arsenic was detected in 87% of 230 public well samples in Bingham County, and 0% were above the EPA limit of 10 ug/L. Arsenic has no taste or smell; a lab test is the only way to know your level.
How high is radon in well water in Bingham County?
The median radon level across 62 public samples in Bingham County was 297 pCi/L, with a high of 900 pCi/L. New Hampshire recommends treatment above 2,000 pCi/L.
How often should I test a private well in Bingham County?
Test for bacteria and nitrate every year. Test once for arsenic, uranium, radon, fluoride, manganese and PFAS, then again every three to five years or after any change in taste, color, or plumbing.
Sources
- Idaho statewide ground water quality monitoring (IDWR EDMS): 2,228 samples in Bingham County. Ground water quality results from the Idaho Department of Water Resources statewide monitoring program and partner agencies (ISDA, IDEQ, INL), EDMS bulk download. Retrieved September 9, 2026.
- USGS Water Quality Portal: 135 samples in Bingham County. Data from the Water Quality Portal, a service of USGS, EPA and USDA; groundwater samples collected by USGS and cooperators. Retrieved September 3, 2026.
Non-detects count as samples and are treated as zero when computing medians. Exactly at the limit counts as not above it. A sample belongs to the town containing the well's reported coordinates.