WaterVerge

Is Dysart, 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 ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA8627095
Overall Score
88.2 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#268 of 436 in Iowa Top 23% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
88.2/100
waterverge.com
A- 88.2/100

Dysart, IA — Water Quality Report

Dysart's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.2 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,281 residents using purchased ground 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 4 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Dysart's water

Dysart ranks #268 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Dysart purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, Dysart may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
88.2 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.2/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
3/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Dysart, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Dysart's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,281 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Dysart

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Dysart's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.2/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

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 Dysart's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Dysart's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jun 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jan 2010 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 2006 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Tama County has experienced 10 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. Local water sources include Stein Creek Near Clutier, Wolf Creek Near Dysart.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4421
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3239
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-1230

Where does Dysart's water come from?

Dysart's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,281 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Stein Creek Near Clutier (river), Wolf Creek Near Dysart (river).

What Dysart residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Dysart'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

4
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jun 2023
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

4 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
2 Resolved
Violations by category
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Jun 2023 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2010 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jan 2010
Jul 2006 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2006
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Mar 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Tama County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1969. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Mar 2019
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4421
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3239
Jul 1998
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1230
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #996
Apr 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #986
Jul 1991
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #911

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has decreased by 0.0 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2024 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,281
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Dysart's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Dysart purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Dysart's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 1,281 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Dysart

Dysart is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

Stein Creek Near Clutier
river
Wolf Creek Near Dysart
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Dysart

System Name PWSID Population Source
DYSART WATER SUPPLY IA8627095 1,281 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Dysart compares

Full Iowa rankings →

Dysart's score of 88.2/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Dysart (this city)
88.2
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About Dysart, IA

Wikipedia →

Dysart is a city in Tama County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,281 at the 2020 census. The Mayor of Dysart is currently Tim Glenn.

Economic Profile
$72,917
Median Income
$151,085
Median Home Value
$775/mo
Median Rent
5.1%
Unemployment
Community
43.3
Median Age
476
People / sq mi
23.7%
College Educated
78%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Dysart, IA tap water safe to drink?

Dysart's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #268 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in Dysart's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.

How is Dysart'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 Dysart?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Dysart's water come from?

Dysart's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,281 residents.

Is Dysart's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Dysart 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 4 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 Dysart's water compare to other cities?

Dysart ranks #268 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 39% of state cities) and #3597 out of 15744 cities nationally (77th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Dysart's small water system affect quality?

Dysart's system serves approximately 1,281 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 4 violations on record.