Lead in Iowa Drinking Water
Iowa has 5,369 public water systems. 18 have recorded lead violations.
Total Systems
5,369
With Violations
18
EPA MCL
0.015
Population Served
3.1M
Lead in Iowa: Key Facts
Total Water Systems
5,369
Systems with Violations
18
Lead Violations
18
Copper Violations
224
EPA Standard
Action level: 0.015 mg/L
MCLG (goal): 0 mg/L
Systems with Lead Violations in Iowa
| System | Population | Lead (ppb) |
|---|---|---|
| DOERFER ENGINEERING COMPANY | 60 | 600.0 |
| JAMAICA WATER SUPPLY | 195 | 290.0 |
| ST MARYS CHURCH | 25 | 220.0 |
| WOODLAND ESTATES IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION | 59 | 80.0 |
| THE MARLEY PUMP COMPANY | 345 | 48.0 |
| LORIMOR WATER SUPPLY | 427 | 42.0 |
| CLOVERLEAF COLD STORAGE | 400 | 38.0 |
| SWIFT AND COMPANY | 2K | 35.0 |
Health Effects of Lead Exposure
Neurological damage
Especially harmful to children under 6; causes IQ loss and developmental delays
Kidney disease
Chronic exposure damages kidney function in adults
Cardiovascular effects
Linked to high blood pressure and heart disease
No safe level
The CDC states there is no safe blood lead level for children
Developmental delays in children, kidney problems, high blood pressure. No safe level of lead exposure for children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there lead in Iowa water?
Iowa has 5,369 public water systems. 18 have recorded lead 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 lead?
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 lead?
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead is Action level: 0.015 mg/L. For lead, the action level is 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb). If more than 10% of samples exceed this level, the utility must take corrective action. Systems that exceed MCLs are required to notify customers and take corrective action.
Lead at a Glance
Source
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits
How to Filter Lead
- +Use NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certified filter for lead removal
- +Run cold water 1-2 minutes if pipes have been idle 6+ hours
- +Never use hot tap water for cooking or drinking
- +Consider reverse osmosis for thorough removal