Iowa
Water quality data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
Water Systems
5,369
Active public water systems
Population Served
3.12M
Residents with piped water
Lead Violations
18
Systems exceeding 15 ppb
Copper Violations
224
Lead & Copper Rule
Average Lead Level
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
MCLG (health goal): 0 ppb
Average across 1586 systems with reported lead data.
Violations Detected
242 water systems in Iowa have reported violations under the Lead and Copper Rule. These utilities are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Schools & Daycares
2 school or daycare water systems identified in this state.
Children are especially vulnerable to lead exposure. Schools are required to test for lead and remediate violations.
Water Systems: Highest Lead Levels
| System Name | City | Population | Lead Level | Status | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MARION | 41,623 | 8.30 ppb | OK | 2024-12-31 | |
| CARROLL | 10,184 | 8.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| WAVERLY | 10,394 | 6.73 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| ALTOONA | 19,565 | 5.60 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| DUBUQUE | 59,667 | 5.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| CRESTON | 20,793 | 5.00 ppb | OK | 2024-12-31 | |
| PLEASANT HILL | 11,079 | 5.00 ppb | OK | 2002-12-31 | |
| IOWA CITY | 68,753 | 4.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| MUSCATINE | 25,516 | 3.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| CORALVILLE | 22,318 | 3.00 ppb | OK | 2024-12-31 | |
| BOONE | 12,704 | 3.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| MASON CITY | 27,338 | 2.90 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 | |
| LEMARS | 10,571 | 2.20 ppb | OK | 2024-12-31 | |
| SIOUX CITY | 85,791 | 2.00 ppb | OK | 2025-12-31 | |
| COUNCIL BLUFFS | 64,447 | 2.00 ppb | OK | 2023-12-31 |
Showing top 15 of 1571 systems with lead data. Action level: 15 ppb.
Systems With Active Violations
These water systems have exceeded EPA limits and must take corrective action.
SIOUX CITY · Pop. 85,791
Lead: 2.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
ANKENY · Pop. 76,207
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
NORTH LIBERTY · Pop. 20,491
Lead: 0.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
BOONE · Pop. 12,704
Lead: 3.00 ppb (2025-12-31)
LEMARS · Pop. 10,571
Lead: 2.20 ppb (2024-12-31)
CARROLL · Pop. 10,184
Lead: 8.00 ppb (2023-12-31)
Water Source Types
Air Quality
GoodAvg AQI
44.3
PM2.5
6 µg/m³
Unhealthy Days
4
Primary Pollutant
Ozone
Source: EPA AirNow & American Lung Association 2024 State of the Air. AQI scale: 0–50 Good · 51–100 Moderate · 101–150 Sensitive Groups · 151+ Unhealthy.
PFAS Contamination
Moderate DetectionPFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), known as “forever chemicals,” are a group of synthetic chemicals that persist indefinitely in the environment and human body. The EPA set a maximum contaminant level (MCL) of 4 parts per trillion (ppt) for PFOA and PFOS in April 2024. View national PFAS tracker →
Systems Tested
186
PFAS Detected
72
Detection Rate
38.7%
Exceeding MCL (4 ppt)
14(7.5%)
Highest recorded level: 38 ppt (EPA MCL: 4 ppt). Listed among states with worst PFAS contamination (Aquasana/multiple sources)