Groundwater Program FAQs

Depending on where you live, drinking water is provided by a private water company, a subdivision well or wells, or a private well. The public water systems in Boise are operated by United Water Idaho, Capitol Water, and various subdivisions. Some residents obtain their water from private wells.

The public water systems are required by the Idaho Department of Environmental Quality to test the water on a regular basis. In addition, each public water system must prepare an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for its customers that describes the drinking water sources and the quality of the drinking water. Owners of private wells must provide testing of the water from their own wells.

Most of our drinking water comes from groundwater, although in some areas, drinking water comes from treated surface water.

Depending on the site construction and/or location, water may seep into your crawl space or basement because of drainage problems at the property (especially after significant rainfall, snow melt, or seasonal irrigation). A drainage problem can also come from a rise of ground water level due to significant rainfall, Boise River water level, or seasonal filling of an irrigation canal.

The Boise Public Works Department has depth to water maps and general depth to ground water information for specific locations around Boise. To find this information, provide an address; description of the site location; or township range, and quarter description of the location.

You can contact Public Works groundwater staff at (208) 384-3901.