Is Morning Sun, 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 Morning Sun, IA — Water Quality Report
Morning Sun'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 752 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 4 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Morning Sun's water
Morning Sun ranks #132 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
Morning Sun 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, Morning Sun may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Morning Sun, IA water safe to drink?
Morning Sun'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 752 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Morning Sun
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Morning Sun's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.5/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3239). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Nitrite.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Morning Sun's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Morning Sun's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Louisa County has experienced 10 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. Local water sources include Iowa River At Wapello.
Where does Morning Sun's water come from?
Morning Sun's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 752 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Iowa River At Wapello (river).
What Morning Sun 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.
Morning Sun'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Morning Sun
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Morning Sun, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 2 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
HAWKEYEPEDERSHAAB CONCRETE TECHNOLOGIES INC. MEDIAPOLIS, IA52637 | Manganese | 2 | 7.5 mi |
US GYPSUM SPERRY MEDIAPOLIS, IA52637 | — | — | 8.0 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Louisa County has experienced 10 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. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Morning Sun compares by contaminant
Explore where Morning Sun ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Morning Sun's water comes from
Morning Sun'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 752 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Morning Sun
Morning Sun is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Morning Sun
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MORNING SUN WATER DEPARTMENT | IA5857011 | 752 | GW |
How Morning Sun compares
Full Iowa rankings →Morning Sun'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 Morning Sun, IA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Morning Sun's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Louisa
Frequently asked questions
Is Morning Sun, IA tap water safe to drink?
Morning Sun'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 #132 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Morning Sun's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Morning Sun'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 Morning Sun?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Morning Sun's water come from?
Morning Sun's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 752 residents.
What health violations has Morning Sun's water system had?
Morning Sun has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 1998. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Morning Sun's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Morning Sun 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 4 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 Morning Sun's water compare to other cities?
Morning Sun ranks #132 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 70% of state cities) and #1678 out of 15744 cities nationally (89th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Morning Sun's small water system affect quality?
Morning Sun's system serves approximately 752 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 4 violations on record.