01The verdict: is Melbourne water safe?
Melbourne's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 765 residents using groundwater (wells).
1 unresolved violation on record
EPA records show an open compliance item for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Melbourne's drinking water received a grade of A (92.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 765 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.7 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 5 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
Melbourne ranks #90 out of 430 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it above average in the state. Melbourne purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Melbourne may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Melbourne's water
Every contaminant flagged in Melbourne, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 5.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Iowa
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Iowa
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Melbourne's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 5 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Melbourne.
▲ Up 5.7 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.7 ppb (2024) — 38% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Melbourne's water comes from
Melbourne purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
765 people
Residents served across Melbourne's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Melbourne'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 765 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MELBOURNE WATER SUPPLY | IA6471063 | 765 | Purchased Groundwater |
05Pressure on Melbourne's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Marshall County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Melbourne compares
Scores for nearby Iowa cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Iowa average (72/100)
Melbourne scores 92.4/100 — above the Iowa average of 72/100. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities. Full Iowa rankings →
85 / 100CDavenport, IA
55 / 100DCedar Rapids, IA
45.5 / 100FIowa City, IA
42 / 100BAmes, IA
81.5 / 100BSioux City, IA
77.3 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Melbourne's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 5.7 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Melbourne alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Melbourne, IA tap water safe to drink?
Melbourne's water quality earned a grade of A (92.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #90 out of 430 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Melbourne's water?
Lead was measured at 5.7 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.
How is Melbourne'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 Melbourne?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Melbourne's water come from?
Melbourne's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 765 residents.
What health violations has Melbourne's water system had?
Melbourne has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2008. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Melbourne's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Melbourne 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 5 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 Melbourne's water compare to other cities?
Melbourne ranks #90 out of 430 cities in Iowa (better than 79% of state cities) and #1259 out of 15382 cities nationally (92th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Melbourne's small water system affect quality?
Melbourne's system serves approximately 765 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 5 violations on record.