Is Mount Ayr, 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 ↓
91.2/100
waterverge.com Mount Ayr, IA — Water Quality Report
Mount Ayr's drinking water received a grade of A (91.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,683 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.4 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 63 violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Mount Ayr's water
Mount Ayr ranks #146 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range 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.
As a small community water system, Mount Ayr may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Mount Ayr, IA water safe to drink?
Mount Ayr's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,683 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Mount Ayr
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Mount Ayr's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.2/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4119). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR), Chlorine, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Mount Ayr's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Mount Ayr's water system has 63 total violations on record, including 10 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Ringgold County has experienced 9 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.
Where does Mount Ayr's water come from?
Mount Ayr's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,683 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Mount Ayr 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.
Mount Ayr'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
Flood & disaster history
Ringgold County has experienced 9 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. | 2.4 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Mount Ayr compares by contaminant
Explore where Mount Ayr ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Mount Ayr's water comes from
Mount Ayr's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,683 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Mount Ayr
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MOUNT AYR WATER TREATMENT PLANT | IA8055014 | 1,683 | SWP |
How Mount Ayr compares
Full Iowa rankings →Mount Ayr's score of 91.2/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Mount Ayr, IA
Wikipedia →Mount Ayr is a city in and the county seat of Ringgold County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,623 at the time of the 2020 census. Mount Ayr is a rural community in southwestern Iowa, 22 miles west of Interstate 35 on State Highway 2. Mount Ayr was founded in 1875 and the community was named in honor of poet Robert Burns’ birthplace in Ayr, Scotland. The “mount” was added to indicate its location on the highest point of land in the area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Mount Ayr's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Ringgold
Frequently asked questions
Is Mount Ayr, IA tap water safe to drink?
Mount Ayr's water quality earned a grade of A (91.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #146 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Mount Ayr's water?
Lead was measured at 2.4 ppb (90th percentile). 63 violations are on record.
How is Mount Ayr'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 Mount Ayr?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Mount Ayr's water come from?
Mount Ayr's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,683 residents.
What health violations has Mount Ayr's water system had?
Mount Ayr has 10 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in June 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Mount Ayr's water compare to other cities?
Mount Ayr ranks #146 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 67% of state cities) and #1825 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 Mount Ayr's small water system affect quality?
Mount Ayr's system serves approximately 1,683 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 63 violations on record.