Is Decatur City, 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 ↓
90.2/100
waterverge.com Decatur City, IA — Water Quality Report
Decatur City's drinking water received a grade of A (90.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,373 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 5 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about Decatur City's water
Decatur City ranks #187 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Decatur City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Decatur City, IA water safe to drink?
Decatur City's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,373 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Decatur City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Decatur City's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.2/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3239). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Decatur City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Decatur City's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Union County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. 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 Decatur City's water come from?
Decatur City's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,373 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Decatur City 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.
Decatur City'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
Union County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1969. 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Decatur City compares by contaminant
Explore where Decatur City ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Decatur City's water comes from
Decatur City's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 1,373 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Decatur City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SIRWA #3 (LEON) | IA2718755 | 1,373 | SWP |
How Decatur City compares
Full Iowa rankings →Decatur City's score of 90.2/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Decatur City, IA
Wikipedia →Creston is a city in and the county seat of Union County, Iowa. The population was 7,536 at the time of the 2020 Census. Creston is a regional hub for southwest Iowa and is home to Southwestern Community College.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Decatur City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Decatur
Frequently asked questions
Is Decatur City, IA tap water safe to drink?
Decatur City's water quality earned a grade of A (90.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #187 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Decatur City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Decatur City'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 Decatur City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Decatur City's water come from?
Decatur City's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,373 residents.
What health violations has Decatur City's water system had?
Decatur City has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2014. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Decatur City's water compare to other cities?
Decatur City ranks #187 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 57% of state cities) and #2370 out of 15744 cities nationally (85th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Decatur City's small water system affect quality?
Decatur City's system serves approximately 1,373 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 5 violations on record.