What was found in Iowa City's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 9100 µg/L 91% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 4/31 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 4600 µg/L 354% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 1300 µg/L | 30/31 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 790 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 29/31 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 420 µg/L 21% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 14/31 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 240 µg/L 1600% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 29/31 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 130 µg/L 163% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 7/31 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 100 µg/L No EPA limit set | 8/31 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 72 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/31 | UCMR-5 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 60 µg/L 100% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L | 5/31 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 42 µg/L No EPA limit set | 6/31 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 42 µg/L No EPA limit set | 6/31 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 26 µg/L No EPA limit set | 6/31 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 17.9 pCi/L 119% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 pCi/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 13 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/31 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 12 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/31 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 9 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/31 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 6.6 pCi/L 132% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 5 pCi/L | 23/31 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 6.5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/31 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 5 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Phthalate | 4.1 µg/L 68% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L | 5/31 | SYR4 |
| Di(2-ethylhexyl) Adipate | 3.8 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 400 µg/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Atrazine | 2.2 µg/L 73% of the EPA limit 3 µg/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 2.2 µg/L 7.3% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 2 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 3/31 | SYR4 |
| Toluene | 2 µg/L 0.2% of the EPA limit 1000 µg/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 1.9 µg/L 0.3% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| 2,4-D | 0.8000 µg/L 1.1% of the EPA limit 70 µg/L | 1/31 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0040 mg/L 27% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 31/31 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Iowa City
Frequently asked questions about Iowa City tap water
Is Iowa City tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 28 contaminants in the water serving Iowa City. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Iowa City?
31 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Iowa City, Iowa to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Iowa City's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Iowa City include Nitrate, Copper, Fluoride, Barium, Lead. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.