Is Marion, IA tap water safe?

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

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Marion Municipal Water Dept.

5 public water systems serve parts of Marion. The largest, Marion Municipal Water Dept, serves 41,623 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Marion Municipal Water Dept

41,623 people · Groundwater · EPA ID IA5751035

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not 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: 8.3 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2024, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 0

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.

Marion homes and lead pipes

38%

of homes built before 1980 (Iowa 62%, US 50%)

built before 1950 (Iowa 28%)

23%

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. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Marion city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Marion

Eagle Ridge Water System
1,005 people · Purchased groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Marion Village Water System
850 people · Purchased groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Glenbrook Cove Area Water System
233 people · Purchased groundwater (surface-influenced) · Iowa · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Meadow Knolls Addition Water System
53 people · Groundwater · Iowa · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Cedar Rapids 7 mi Cedar Rapids Water Department	Cedar Rapids Water Department	None above limits	1.62 ppb
Iowa City 27 mi Iowa City Water Department	Iowa City Water Department	None above limits	4 ppb
Waterloo 50 mi Waterloo Water Works	Waterloo Water Works	None above limits	1.8 ppb
Dubuque 55 mi Dubuque Water Works	Dubuque Water Works	None above limits	5 ppb
Cedar Falls 55 mi Cedar Falls Municipal Water Utilities	Cedar Falls Municipal Water Utilities	None above limits	1.4 ppb
Davenport 61 mi Iowa American Water – Davenport	Iowa American Water – Davenport	None above limits	1 ppb

Marion ZIP codes (1)

52302

Questions

Is Marion tap water safe to drink?

Marion Municipal Water Dept 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 Marion, IA?

5 public water systems serve parts of Marion. The largest is Marion Municipal Water Dept (41,623 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Marion tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Marion Municipal Water Dept 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 Marion homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 38% of Marion 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. Marion Municipal Water Dept'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.