Is Grundy Center, 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 ↓
91.5/100
waterverge.com Grundy Center, IA — Water Quality Report
Grundy Center's drinking water received a grade of A (91.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,796 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.8 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 3 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Grundy Center's water
Grundy Center ranks #128 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Grundy Center 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, Grundy Center may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Grundy Center, IA water safe to drink?
Grundy Center's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,796 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Grundy Center
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Grundy Center's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.5/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3239). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1230). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Grundy Center's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Grundy Center's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Grundy County has experienced 5 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 Grundy Center's water come from?
Grundy Center's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,796 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Grundy Center 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.
Grundy Center'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
Grundy County has experienced 5 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. | 1.8 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Grundy Center compares by contaminant
Explore where Grundy Center ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Grundy Center's water comes from
Grundy Center 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 Grundy Center'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 2,796 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Grundy Center
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GRUNDY CENTER WATER SUPPLY | IA3833013 | 2,796 | GWP |
How Grundy Center compares
Full Iowa rankings →Grundy Center's score of 91.5/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Grundy Center, IA
Wikipedia →Grundy Center is a city in Palermo Township, Grundy County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,796 at the time of the 2020 census, a 7.7% increase from 2,596 at the 2000 census. Grundy Center is also the county seat of Grundy County. Grundy Center is part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Grundy Center's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Grundy
Frequently asked questions
Is Grundy Center, IA tap water safe to drink?
Grundy Center's water quality earned a grade of A (91.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #128 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Grundy Center's water?
Lead was measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.
How is Grundy Center'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 Grundy Center?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Grundy Center's water come from?
Grundy Center's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,796 residents.
What health violations has Grundy Center's water system had?
Grundy Center has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2001. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Grundy Center's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Grundy Center 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 Grundy Center's water compare to other cities?
Grundy Center ranks #128 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 71% of state cities) and #1649 out of 15744 cities nationally (90th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Grundy Center's small water system affect quality?
Grundy Center's system serves approximately 2,796 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.