WaterVerge

Is Edgewood, IA Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

939 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA2220002
Overall Score
89.5 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#233 of 436 in Iowa Top 18% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
89.5/100
waterverge.com
A- 89.5/100

Edgewood, IA — Water Quality Report

Edgewood's drinking water received a grade of A- (89.5 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 939 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 3.7 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 3 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Edgewood's water

Edgewood ranks #233 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

Edgewood 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, Edgewood may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
89.5 out of 100 Grade A-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.5/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
18/20
A
Lead at 3.7 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Edgewood, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Edgewood's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (89.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 939 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
3.7 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Edgewood

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Edgewood's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (89.5/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4289). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

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 Edgewood's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 3.7 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Edgewood's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jan 2014 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) Resolved
Aug 2009 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Delaware County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1968. 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 Volga River At Littleport, Turkey River At Garber.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4289
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3239
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-1420

Where does Edgewood's water come from?

Edgewood's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 939 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Volga River At Littleport (river), Turkey River At Garber (river).

What Edgewood 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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Edgewood'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
3.7 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 25% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

3
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 2014
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

3 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
2 Resolved
Violations by category
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2014 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2016
Aug 2009 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 2009
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Oct 2016
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Delaware County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1968. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Oct 2016
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4289
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3239
Jun 2002
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1420
Jul 1998
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1230
Jul 1993
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #996
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #443

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 3.7 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 2.3 ppb from 1993 (6.0 ppb) to 2023 (3.7 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
939
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Edgewood's water comes from

Groundwater

Edgewood'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 939 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Edgewood

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

Volga River At Littleport
river
Turkey River At Garber
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Edgewood

System Name PWSID Population Source
EDGEWOOD WATER SUPPLY IA2220002 939 GW
Regional Comparison

How Edgewood compares

Full Iowa rankings →

Edgewood's score of 89.5/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Edgewood (this city)
89.5
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About Edgewood, IA

Economic Profile
$58,068
Median Income
$145,226
Median Home Value
$953/mo
Median Rent
3.7%
Unemployment
Community
54.8
Median Age
268
People / sq mi
15.3%
College Educated
67.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Edgewood, IA tap water safe to drink?

Edgewood's water quality earned a grade of A- (89.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #233 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in Edgewood's water?

Lead was measured at 3.7 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.

How is Edgewood'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 Edgewood?

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

Where does Edgewood's water come from?

Edgewood's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 939 residents.

What health violations has Edgewood's water system had?

Edgewood has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2014. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Edgewood's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Edgewood 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 3 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 Edgewood's water compare to other cities?

Edgewood ranks #233 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 47% of state cities) and #2810 out of 15744 cities nationally (82th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Edgewood's small water system affect quality?

Edgewood's system serves approximately 939 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 3 violations on record.