Is Battle Creek, IA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A-, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
89.8/100
waterverge.com Battle Creek, IA — Water Quality Report
Battle Creek's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 700 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 3.8 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 33 violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Battle Creek's water
Battle Creek ranks #214 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Battle Creek relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.
As a small community water system, Battle Creek may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Battle Creek, IA water safe to drink?
Battle Creek's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 700 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Battle Creek
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Battle Creek's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.8/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4184). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Battle Creek's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Battle Creek's water system has 33 total violations on record, including 13 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Ida County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Battle Creek's water come from?
Battle Creek's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 700 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Battle Creek residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Battle Creek's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Ida County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 3.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Battle Creek compares by contaminant
Explore where Battle Creek ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Battle Creek's water comes from
Battle Creek's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.
Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 700 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Battle Creek
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| BATTLE CREEK WATER SUPPLY | IA4709090 | 700 | GW |
How Battle Creek compares
Full Iowa rankings →Battle Creek's score of 89.8/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Battle Creek, IA
Wikipedia →Battle Creek is a city in Ida County, Iowa, United States. The population was 700 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Battle Creek's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Ida
Frequently asked questions
Is Battle Creek, IA tap water safe to drink?
Battle Creek's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #214 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Battle Creek's water?
Lead was measured at 3.8 ppb (90th percentile). 33 violations are on record.
How is Battle Creek's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Battle Creek?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Battle Creek's water come from?
Battle Creek's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 700 residents.
What health violations has Battle Creek's water system had?
Battle Creek has 13 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2008. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Battle Creek's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Battle Creek uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 33 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Battle Creek's water compare to other cities?
Battle Creek ranks #214 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 51% of state cities) and #2610 out of 15744 cities nationally (83th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Battle Creek's small water system affect quality?
Battle Creek's system serves approximately 700 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 33 violations on record.