WaterVerge

Is Kellogg, 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 ↓

617 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA5038017
Overall Score
91 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#162 of 436 in Iowa Top 13% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91/100
waterverge.com
A 91/100

Kellogg, IA — Water Quality Report

Kellogg's drinking water received a grade of A (91 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 617 residents using groundwater.

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 7 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Kellogg's water

Kellogg ranks #162 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.8 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 Kellogg, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Kellogg's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 617 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
1.8 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Kellogg

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Kellogg's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91/100).

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

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.

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 Kellogg's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.8 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Kellogg's water system has 7 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.

OtherMONMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2018 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Dec 2017 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Jul 2013 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2013 TTHM Resolved
Oct 2001 Nitrate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Jasper 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.

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 Kellogg's water come from?

Kellogg's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 617 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Kellogg 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

Kellogg'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
1.8 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 12% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

7
Total violations
1
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Jul 2018
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

7 Total
2 Active
1 Health-based
5 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Nitrate Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Jul 2018 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Dec 2017 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Dec 2017
Jul 2013 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2013
Jul 2013 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jul 2013
Oct 2001 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2001
May 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved May 1996
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Kellogg

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Kellogg, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
JELD-WEN DOOR SYSTEMS
Wood Products · JELD-WEN INC
GRINNELL, IA50112
9.4 mi
REG NEWTON LLC
Chemicals · CHEVRON CORP
NEWTON, IA50208
5.9 mi
THOMBERT INC.
Plastics and Rubber · THOMBERT INC
NEWTON, IA50208
7.2 mi
ARCOSA WIND TOWERS INC. PLT 1550
Fabricated Metals · ARCOSA INC
NEWTON, IA50208
7.0 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Site context

Superfund sites within 10 miles of Kellogg

Superfund sites nearby

Federally tracked hazardous-waste sites on the EPA National Priorities List. Proximity does not necessarily indicate tap-water contamination — the connection depends on hydrology and treatment.

Source: EPA Superfund National Priorities List

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Mar 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Jasper 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.

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
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #443

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.8 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 3.0 ppb from 1993 (4.8 ppb) to 2024 (1.8 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
617
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Kellogg's water comes from

Groundwater

Kellogg'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 617 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Kellogg

System Name PWSID Population Source
KELLOGG WATER SUPPLY IA5038017 617 GW
Regional Comparison

How Kellogg compares

Full Iowa rankings →

Kellogg's score of 91/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Kellogg (this city)
91
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About Kellogg, IA

Economic Profile
$46,500
Median Income
$736/mo
Median Rent
13.7%
Unemployment
Community
49
Median Age
371
People / sq mi
11%
College Educated
67.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Kellogg, IA tap water safe to drink?

Kellogg's water quality earned a grade of A (91/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #162 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in Kellogg's water?

Lead was measured at 1.8 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.

How is Kellogg'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 Kellogg?

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

Where does Kellogg's water come from?

Kellogg's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 617 residents.

What health violations has Kellogg's water system had?

Kellogg has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2018. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is Kellogg's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Kellogg 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 7 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 Kellogg's water compare to other cities?

Kellogg ranks #162 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 63% of state cities) and #1962 out of 15744 cities nationally (88th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Kellogg's small water system affect quality?

Kellogg's system serves approximately 617 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 7 violations on record.