Is Ottumwa, 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 Ottumwa Water Works.

3 public water systems serve parts of Ottumwa. The largest, Ottumwa Water Works, serves 25,529 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Ottumwa Water Works

25,529 people · Surface water · EPA ID IA9083012

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: 0.8 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

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.

Ottumwa homes and lead pipes

80%

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

41%

built before 1950 (Iowa 28%)

38%

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 Ottumwa city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Ottumwa

Wapello Rural Water Association
17,263 people · Purchased surface water · Iowa · lists this city
Lithium above screening level
Leisure Living Manf Home Community Water System
150 people · Purchased surface water · Iowa · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Iowa City 64 mi Iowa City Water Department	Iowa City Water Department	None above limits	4 ppb
Des Moines 73 mi Des Moines Water Works	Des Moines Water Works	None above limits	0 ppb
Marshalltown 74 mi Marshalltown Water Works	Marshalltown Water Works	None above limits	2 ppb
Cedar Rapids 76 mi Cedar Rapids Water Department	Cedar Rapids Water Department	None above limits	1.62 ppb
Ankeny 78 mi City of Ankeny	City of Ankeny	None above limits	0 ppb
West Des Moines 80 mi West Des Moines Water Works	West Des Moines Water Works	None above limits	0 ppb

Ottumwa ZIP codes (1)

52501

Questions

Is Ottumwa tap water safe to drink?

Ottumwa Water Works 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 Ottumwa, IA?

3 public water systems serve parts of Ottumwa. The largest is Ottumwa Water Works (25,529 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Ottumwa tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Ottumwa Water Works 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 Ottumwa homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 80% of Ottumwa 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. Ottumwa Water Works'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.