Total Coliform Bacteria in Iowa Drinking Water
Iowa has 5,369 public water systems. 3565 have recorded total coliform bacteria violations.
Total Systems
5,369
With Violations
3,565
EPA MCL
N/A
Population Served
3.1M
Total Coliform Bacteria in Iowa: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
5,369
Systems with Violations
3,565
Lead Violations
18
Copper Violations
224
EPA Standard
Zero tolerance (presence/absence test)
MCLG (goal): 0 mg/L
Water Systems with Violations in Iowa
| System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|
| CORYDON WATER SUPPLY | 2K | 1441 |
| WILLIAMS TRAVEL CENTER | 610 | 992 |
| CORNING MUNI WATER DEPARTMENT | 2K | 893 |
| CHURDAN WATER SUPPLY | 375 | 875 |
| MIDWAY WATER AND LIGHTING | 72 | 841 |
| AUNT DHARMA'S SANDBAR ON THE WAPSI LLC | 27 | 832 |
| BLOOMFIELD MUNI WATER DEPT | 3K | 793 |
| LACINA MEADOWS HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATION | 58 | 775 |
Health Effects of Total Coliform Bacteria Exposure
Indicator organism
Presence indicates possible fecal contamination
Pathogen risk
May accompany E. coli, Giardia, and other pathogens
GI illness
Can cause nausea, cramps, and diarrhea
Not harmful themselves but indicate possible presence of harmful pathogens. E. coli indicates recent fecal contamination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there total coliform bacteria in Iowa water?
Iowa has 5,369 public water systems. 3565 have recorded total coliform bacteria violations based on EPA SDWIS data. If you are on a private well, your water is not covered by these regulations and should be tested independently.
How can I check my Iowa water for total coliform bacteria?
Search for your water system using the WaterCheck system lookup, or contact your utility and request a copy of your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). The CCR is published annually and lists all detected contaminants, their levels, and the EPA MCLs. For private wells, contact a state-certified lab for independent testing.
What is the EPA limit for total coliform bacteria?
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for total coliform bacteria is Zero tolerance (presence/absence test). Systems that exceed MCLs are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Total Coliform Bacteria at a Glance
Source
Naturally present in the environment; fecal contamination from human or animal waste
How to Filter Total Coliform Bacteria
- +Boiling water for 1 minute kills coliform bacteria
- +NSF/ANSI 55 certified UV systems eliminate bacteria
- +Contact your water utility immediately if coliform is detected