Is Moscow, ID tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Moscow Water Dept.

2 public water systems serve parts of Moscow. The largest, Moscow Water Dept, serves 26,000 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Moscow Water Dept

26,000 people · Groundwater · EPA ID ID2290023

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 4 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Across Idaho, 2 of 61 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 1 system were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Idaho results.

Moscow homes and lead pipes

48%

of homes built before 1980 (Idaho 39%, US 50%)

13%

built before 1950 (Idaho 11%)

60%

of households rent (Idaho 28%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Moscow city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Which system serves your ZIP code

Based on the ZIP codes each system reported serving. Boundaries don't follow ZIP lines exactly, so your water bill is the final word.

System	ZIP codes in Moscow
Moscow Water Dept 26,000 people	83843
University of Idaho Water System 8,589 people	83844

Other water systems serving Moscow

University of Idaho Water System
8,589 people · Groundwater · Idaho · reported ZIPs here
No PFAS above limits

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Lewiston 23 mi City of Lewiston	City of Lewiston	None above limits	0 ppb
Coeur d'Alene 68 mi City of Coeur D Alene	City of Coeur D Alene	None above limits	2 ppb
Post Falls 68 mi City of Post Falls	City of Post Falls	None above limits	1 ppb
Eagle 212 mi Veolia Water Idaho	Veolia Water Idaho	None above limits	2 ppb
Caldwell 213 mi City of Caldwell	City of Caldwell	None above limits	0 ppb
Meridian 217 mi Veolia Water Idaho	Veolia Water Idaho	None above limits	2 ppb

Questions

Is Moscow tap water safe to drink?

Moscow Water Dept has had no health-based violations since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Moscow, ID?

2 public water systems serve parts of Moscow. The largest is Moscow Water Dept (26,000 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Moscow tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Moscow Water Dept had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Moscow homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 48% of Moscow homes as built before 1980 (Idaho: 39%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Moscow Water Dept's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.