★★★★★
“Friendly, experienced and answered all questions prior to purchase. Would recommend highly.”
Serving all of Star & west Ada County
Star Water Softener & Filtration Services
Star has grown 131% since 2020, and its water, like all of southern Idaho's, is hard. City water from the Star Sewer & Water District tests well within federal limits, but private wells in northeast Star sit in Idaho's #1 nitrate priority area. Aqua Source tests first, then recommends the right system for your water.
Star Sale
$200 OFF any water softener — installation included
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Star Water Profile
Star's water: hard, and a nitrate hotspot for private wells.
Star's city water comes from Star Sewer & Water District wells; the main well is about 700 feet deep. The district's 2025 report shows arsenic from not detected to 3.6 ppb and nitrate from not detected to 1.5 ppm, both far under the federal limit of 10. Like the rest of southern Idaho, the water is hard. The district doesn't publish a hardness number, so we test at your tap.
Private wells are a different story. Idaho DEQ ranks northeast Star #1 of 35 nitrate priority areas statewide: 47% of sampled wells were at or above the 10 mg/L drinking-water limit, and the trend is increasing. If you're on a well in or around Star, test for nitrate and bacteria every year, and consider reverse osmosis for drinking water.
Arsenic (city)
ND–3.6 ppb
Nitrate (city)
ND–1.5 ppm
NE Star wells
47%
Main city well
~700 ft
Well water in Star: the nitrate question
Star has grown 131% since 2020, according to COMPASS population estimates, and much of that growth sits on land that was farmed for decades. That history shows up in the groundwater. In Idaho DEQ’s ranking of nitrate priority areas, northeast Star is #1 of 35 statewide:
- Northeast Star: ranked #1. 47% of sampled wells were at or above the 10 mg/L nitrate limit, and the trend is increasing.
- Northeast Canyon County: ranked #6. 10% of wells at or above the limit, also increasing.
- Ada-Canyon area: ranked #8. 12% of 1,117 sampled sites.
Source: Idaho DEQ nitrate priority area ranking (2020 ranking; the latest published).
Why nitrate matters
The federal nitrate limit of 10 mg/L exists mainly to protect infants, because high nitrate interferes with how a baby’s blood carries oxygen. Nitrate has no taste, color, or smell, and boiling water concentrates it instead of removing it. If you’re on a well in or around Star, test for nitrate and bacteria every year. Central District Health tests cost about $20–$23 each.
What removes it, and what doesn’t
A water softener does not remove nitrate. An under-sink reverse osmosis system reduces nitrate in the water you drink and cook with, and it’s the fix we install most often for Star well owners. The softener still earns its place for hardness and scale, and on wells with iron we put an iron filter ahead of it.
On city water?
The Star Sewer & Water District’s 2025 report shows nitrate from not detected to 1.5 ppm and arsenic from not detected to 3.6 ppb, both far below the limits, and no lead service lines. For city customers the main issue is hardness. Many of Star’s newer homes also came with a pre-plumbed softener loop, which Idaho requires in new slab-on-grade and finished-basement homes, so installation is usually quick. Source: Star Sewer & Water District 2025 water report.
For every city’s figures side by side, see our guide to water treatment services in Boise.
Our Services
Water treatment solutions for Star homes.
Custom-built for Star's specific water chemistry. At prices that beat the competition.
Water Softeners
Superior softening for cleaner, softer water everywhere.
View Products →Whole House Filtration
Combines superior water filtration and softening in one system.
View Products →Hot Water Recirculator
Get instant access to hot water every time you turn on the faucet.
View Products →Reverse Osmosis
Advanced purification for the purest drinking water.
View Products →Tankless Water Heaters
Top-of-the-line tankless heaters for endless hot water on demand.
View Products →Not Sure? Get a Free Test
We'll test your Star water for free and tell you exactly what you need.
Book a Free Test →
Aqua Advantage
Why Star homeowners choose Aqua Source.
25+ Years in the Treasure Valley
More than 25 years of plumbing and water treatment experience across the valley — we know the local plumbing, the soils, and the quirks of each city's water service, Star included.
Local & Family-Owned
Headquartered right here in the Treasure Valley. The owner answers the phone. Same techs come back for service — never a subcontractor.
Made in the USA
Industry-leading components manufactured domestically. No commission-based selling — direct pricing means we beat the big guys consistently.
Service Area
Serving all of Star and surrounding west Ada County.
From established homes along State Street to the rapid new construction north of the Boise River — Star is one of the fastest-growing communities in the valley, and Aqua Source covers every neighborhood. Same-day in-home water testing throughout the area, with most installs completed in a single afternoon.
- Downtown Star (83669)
- North Star
- South Star
- State Street Corridor
- Star Road Area
- Floating Feather Road
- Hidden Springs Area
- Legacy
- The Shores
- Star Ranch
- New River Heights
- New construction subdivisions
Nearby service areas: Eagle · Middleton · Meridian
What's in Treasure Valley tap water? See each city's 2025 water report figures in our guide to water treatment services in Boise.
Active service zones
Customer Reviews
5.0 ★ across 52 Google reviews.
★★★★★
“Aqua Source put a water softener for us when we remodeled our house. Beyond being a great value, they were professional and responsive. I would recommend using Aqua Source for any of your plumbing needs to anyone in the Treasure Valley!”
★★★★★
“Great service! Brock was very knowledgeable and he helped explain what are options were. The software machine we got is very quiet and our water is silky smooth! It was also a very reasonably priced unit! Highly recommended!”
Star FAQ
Common questions from Star homeowners.
Is Star's water hard?
Yes. All of southern Idaho has hard water, and Star is no exception. The Star Sewer & Water District doesn't publish a hardness number, and private wells vary a lot from one property to the next, so the reliable number is a test at your own tap. We do that for free.
Do I need a water softener in Star?
Most homes benefit: hard water scales water heaters and fixtures and makes soap and detergent work harder. If you're on a private well, test for nitrate first. Northeast Star ranks #1 in Idaho for well nitrate, and a softener doesn't remove nitrate; an under-sink reverse osmosis system reduces it.
Which Star areas do you serve?
We serve all of Star (83669) including downtown, North and South Star, the State Street and Star Road corridors, Floating Feather Road, Legacy, The Shores, Star Ranch, and every new subdivision going up around the city. Same-day estimates throughout west Ada County.
How much does a water softener cost in Star?
A professionally installed whole-house water softener in Star typically ranges from $1,800 to $3,500 depending on capacity, technology, and whether you're on a well or community system. Aqua Source publishes flat, all-in pricing — installation, materials, and warranty included — and we're currently running $200 off any softener system.