Tap Water Results

Is Ames, IA tap water safe?

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

Summary

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Ames Water Treatment Plant.

4 public water systems serve parts of Ames. The largest, Ames Water Treatment Plant, serves 55,177 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Ames Water Treatment Plant

55,177 people · Groundwater · EPA ID IA8503039

PFASHighest averageLimitStatus
PFOA
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFOS
Not detected
–4 pptNot detected
PFHxS
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
PFNA
Not detected
–10 pptNot detected
HFPO-DA (GenX)
Not detected
–10 pptNot 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: 0 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2025, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Ames Water Treatment Plant results

Across Iowa, 1 of 151 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 4 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. Iowa results.

Ames homes and lead pipes

40%
of homes built before 1980 (Iowa 62%, US 50%)
11%
built before 1950 (Iowa 28%)
58%
of households rent (Iowa 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 Ames 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.

SystemZIP codes in Ames
Isu Water System
42,000 people
50012, 50013
Ames Water Treatment Plant
55,177 people
50010

Other water systems serving Ames

  • Isu Water System
    42,000 people · Purchased groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Lithium above screening level
  • Maple Grove Mhc Water System
    160 people · Purchased groundwater (surface-influenced) · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 4 health-based violations since 2016
  • Squaw Valley South Subdivision
    105 people · Purchased groundwater (surface-influenced) · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Ankeny 20 mi
City of Ankeny
City of AnkenyNone above limits0 ppb
Johnston 24 mi
Johnston Municipal Water Supply
Johnston Municipal Water SupplyNone above limits0 ppb
Urbandale 28 mi
Urbandale Water Utility
Urbandale Water UtilityNone above limits0 ppb
Des Moines 31 mi
Des Moines Water Works
Des Moines Water WorksNone above limits0 ppb
Waukee 33 mi
Waukee Water Supply
Waukee Water SupplyNone above limits0 ppb
West Des Moines 34 mi
West Des Moines Water Works
West Des Moines Water WorksNone above limits0 ppb

Questions

Is Ames tap water safe to drink?

Ames Water Treatment Plant 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 Ames, IA?

4 public water systems serve parts of Ames. The largest is Ames Water Treatment Plant (55,177 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Ames tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Ames Water Treatment Plant 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 Ames homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 40% of Ames homes as built before 1980 (Iowa: 62%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Ames Water Treatment Plant'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.