01The verdict: is Montezuma water safe?
Montezuma's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.8/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,295 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
3 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓3K people, 2 systems
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓A flood-prone service area
5 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Montezuma's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 3,295 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 5.8 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 14 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Montezuma ranks #276 out of 430 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it below average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. 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, Montezuma may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Montezuma's water
Every contaminant flagged in Montezuma, 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. | 5.8 | 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
03Montezuma'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 14 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Montezuma.
▼ Down 9.2 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 5.8 ppb (2024) — 39% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Montezuma's water comes from
Montezuma's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
3,295 people
Residents served across Montezuma's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by private ownership and serves approximately 3,295 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PONDEROSA UTILITIES INC. | IA7950300 | 1,750 | Purchased Surface Water |
| MONTEZUMA MUNI WATER SUPPLY | IA7950097 | 1,545 | Surface Water |
05Pressure on Montezuma'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.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
5 federal disaster declarations on record for Poweshiek County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Montezuma compares
Scores for nearby Iowa cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Iowa average (72/100)
Montezuma scores 87.8/100 — 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 Montezuma's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 5.8 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 Montezuma 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 Montezuma, IA tap water safe to drink?
Montezuma's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #276 out of 430 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Montezuma's water?
Lead was measured at 5.8 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.
How is Montezuma'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 Montezuma?
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 Montezuma's water come from?
Montezuma's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 3,295 residents.
How does Montezuma's water compare to other cities?
Montezuma ranks #276 out of 430 cities in Iowa (better than 36% of state cities) and #3791 out of 15382 cities nationally (75th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.