Tap Water Results

Is Iowa City, 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 Iowa City Water Department.

31 public water systems serve parts of Iowa City. The largest, Iowa City Water Department, serves 68,753 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Iowa City Water Department

68,753 people · Surface water · EPA ID IA5225079

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: 4 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

Full Iowa City Water Department 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.

Iowa City homes and lead pipes

45%
of homes built before 1980 (Iowa 62%, US 50%)
14%
built before 1950 (Iowa 28%)
53%
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 Iowa City city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Iowa City

  • University Water System
    47,136 people · Surface water · Iowa · lists this city
    Total trihalomethanes (TTHM) violationsAlso: Lithium above screening level
  • Lake Ridge, Incorporated Water System
    1,300 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Modern Manor, Inc
    915 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Sunrise Village Mobile Home Pk Water System
    340 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016
  • Iowa City MHP LLC
    280 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Lithium above screening level
  • Iowa City Regency Mobile Home Community Water System
    225 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sampleAlso: 2 health-based violations since 2016
24 more systems
  • Cottage Reserve Corporation
    198 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Spring Valley Homeowners Association.
    163 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Prairie View Estates Association Johnson County
    155 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Forestgate Subdivision
    140 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Lakeview Knolls Homeowners Association.
    122 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Westcott Heights HOA Part Three
    120 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Riverview Estates Water System
    108 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Makada Homeowners Association
    85 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Lyn-Den Heights Homeowners Association
    84 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Timber Trails Homeowners Association
    80 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Far Horizons Subdivision
    80 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Orchard View Estates Water System
    78 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Rapid Creek Ridge Water System
    70 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Wendram Bluff Homes Water System
    68 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Coliform bacteria violation
  • Turkey Creek Development Water System
    65 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Westcott Heights Parts 1 & 2 Water System
    63 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Kesslers Homeowners Association
    60 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Radium (combined 226/228) violations
  • Cherry Hills Subdivision
    59 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Northwood Estates Water System
    52 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Redwing Estates HOA
    48 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Woodland Ridge Estates Water System
    42 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Woodland Heights Homeowners Association
    41 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • The Meadows Water System
    35 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample
  • Stoney Pointe Subdivision
    27 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
    Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

CityMain water systemPFASLead (90th pct.)
Cedar Rapids 23 mi
Cedar Rapids Water Department
Cedar Rapids Water DepartmentNone above limits1.62 ppb
Marion 27 mi
Marion Municipal Water Dept
Marion Municipal Water DeptNone above limits8.3 ppb
Davenport 48 mi
Iowa American Water – Davenport
Iowa American Water – DavenportNone above limits1 ppb
Bettendorf 55 mi
Iowa American Water – Davenport
Iowa American Water – DavenportNone above limits1 ppb
Ottumwa 63 mi
Ottumwa Water Works
Ottumwa Water WorksNone above limits0.8 ppb
Waterloo 72 mi
Waterloo Water Works
Waterloo Water WorksNone above limits1.8 ppb
Iowa City ZIP codes (3)
  • 52242
  • 52245
  • 52246

Questions

Is Iowa City tap water safe to drink?

Iowa City Water Department 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 Iowa City, IA?

31 public water systems serve parts of Iowa City. The largest is Iowa City Water Department (68,753 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Iowa City tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Iowa City Water Department 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 Iowa City homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 45% of Iowa City 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. Iowa City Water Department'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.