WaterVerge

Is Hubbard, 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 ↓

860 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA4254061
Overall Score
93.4 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#53 of 436 in Iowa Top 6% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
93.4/100
waterverge.com
A 93.4/100

Hubbard, IA — Water Quality Report

Hubbard's drinking water received a grade of A (93.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 860 residents using groundwater.

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 10 violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Hubbard's water

Hubbard ranks #53 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
93.4 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.4/45
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Hubbard, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Hubbard's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 860 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Hubbard

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hubbard's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.4/100).

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

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Arsenic.

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 Hubbard's water supply.

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Hubbard's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 9 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MCL
Most recent violations:
Apr 2010 Arsenic Resolved
Jan 2010 Arsenic Resolved
Oct 2009 Arsenic Resolved
Jul 2009 Arsenic Resolved
Apr 2009 Arsenic Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Hardin 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. Local water sources include South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence.

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 Hubbard's water come from?

Hubbard's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 860 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence (river).

What Hubbard 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

Hubbard'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

10
Total violations
9
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Apr 2010
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

10 Total
1 Active
9 Health-based
9 Resolved
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Apr 2010 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2010
Jan 2010 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2010
Oct 2009 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2009
Jul 2009 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2009
Apr 2009 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2009
Jan 2009 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Mar 2009
Oct 2008 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2008
Jul 2008 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Sep 2008
Jan 1999 Resolved
Arsenic
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Dec 2007
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Mar 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Hardin 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.

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
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #868
Aug 1969
HEAVY RAINS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #269

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 6.0 ppb from 1993 (6.0 ppb) to 2023 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
860
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Hubbard's water comes from

Groundwater

Hubbard'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 860 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Hubbard

Hubbard is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Hubbard

System Name PWSID Population Source
HUBBARD WATER SUPPLY IA4254061 860 GW
Regional Comparison

How Hubbard compares

Full Iowa rankings →

Hubbard's score of 93.4/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Hubbard (this city)
93.4
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About Hubbard, IA

Wikipedia →

Hubbard is a city in Hardin County, Iowa, United States. The population was 860 at the time of the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$65,688
Median Income
$90,469
Median Home Value
$647/mo
Median Rent
1.2%
Unemployment
Community
54.3
Median Age
181
People / sq mi
11.8%
College Educated
83.9%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Hubbard, IA tap water safe to drink?

Hubbard's water quality earned a grade of A (93.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #53 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in Hubbard's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.

How is Hubbard'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 Hubbard?

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

Where does Hubbard's water come from?

Hubbard's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 860 residents.

What health violations has Hubbard's water system had?

Hubbard has 9 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2010. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Hubbard's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Hubbard 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 10 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 Hubbard's water compare to other cities?

Hubbard ranks #53 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 88% of state cities) and #861 out of 15744 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Hubbard's small water system affect quality?

Hubbard's system serves approximately 860 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 10 violations on record.