WaterVerge

Is New Hampton, 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 ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA1970051
Overall Score
92.2 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#98 of 436 in Iowa Top 9% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
92.2/100
waterverge.com
A 92.2/100

New Hampton, IA — Water Quality Report

New Hampton's drinking water received a grade of A (92.2 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,494 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. UCMR 5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound in the water supply.

The system has 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about New Hampton's water

New Hampton ranks #98 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

New Hampton 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.

PFAS compounds were detected in testing, though levels remain within current EPA limits. Residents seeking extra precaution may consider an activated carbon or reverse osmosis filter.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
92.2 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.9/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
18.2/20
A
1 PFAS compound detected.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is New Hampton, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

New Hampton's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (92.2/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 3,494 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
1.2 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
1 compound
PFAS Detected
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for New Hampton

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

PFAS
1 PFAS "forever chemical" compound detected

Detected at levels within current EPA limits. PFAS persist indefinitely in the environment.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Hampton's water quality assessment. Grade: A (92.2/100).

Violation
2 drinking water violations recorded

Contaminants: TTHM, Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4289). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4281). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Hampton's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.2 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

PFAS (1 compound) Elevated
Detected: Highest: lithium at 12.0000 µg/L Limit: 0.004 µg/L (EPA MCL)

Detected but within current EPA limits. PFAS do not break down in the environment and can accumulate in the body over time. An activated carbon filter can reduce exposure.

Violation history

New Hampton's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MROther
Most recent violations:
Aug 2017 TTHM Resolved
Aug 2017 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Jul 2011 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Oct 1995 Ethylbenzene Resolved
Oct 1995 Xylenes, Total Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Chickasaw 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.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4289
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4281
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4184

Where does New Hampton's water come from?

New Hampton's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 3,494 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What New Hampton 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

New Hampton'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
1.2 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 8% of limit
Safe Level
lithium
PFAS / Forever Chemical
Near MCL
12.0000 µg/L
EPA MCL: 0.004 µg/L · +20% over limit
Detected
Lithium
Inorganic
Detected
12.0 µg/L
State screening level: 60 µg/L · 20% of limit
DetectedNo federal MCLUCMR 5 Data (2023–2025)
PFAS Testing

Forever chemicals overview

National PFAS report →
30
Compounds tested
1
Detected
0
Exceed EPA MCL
Compliance Record

Violation summary

6
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Aug 2017
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

6 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
4 Resolved
2 SNC
Violations by category
Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Volatile Organic Chemicals
2
Consumer Confidence Rule
1
Jul 2011 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Aug 2017 Resolved
TTHM
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2017
Aug 2017 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
SNC Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2017
Oct 1995 Resolved
Ethylbenzene
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1995
Oct 1995 Resolved
Xylenes, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 1995
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Hampton

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
TRIMARK CORP
Fabricated Metals · NA
NEW HAMPTON, IA50659
1.0 mi
AFINITAS
Nonmetallic Mineral Product · AFINITAS INC
NEW HAMPTON, IA50659
1.1 mi
ATEK METAL TECHNOLOGIES
Primary Metals · ATEK MANAGEMENT CO
NEW HAMPTON, IA50659
1.3 mi
HOMELAND ENERGY SOLUTIONS LLC
Chemicals · NA
LAWLER, IA52154
4.9 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Oct 2016
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Chickasaw 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.

Oct 2016
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4289
Sep 2016
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4281
Jul 2014
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4184
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

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in New Hampton's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🧪
For PFAS
Reverse Osmosis or Activated Carbon Block
1 PFAS compound detected

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.2 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
11Cl-PF3OUdS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
4:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
6:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
8:2 FTS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
ADONA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
HFPO-DA ND 0.01 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
lithium 12.000 HI µg/L PFAS Detected
NEtFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NFDHA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
NMeFOSAA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFBS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFDoA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFEESA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHpS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFHxS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMBA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFMPA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFNA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOA ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFOS ND 0.004 µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFPeS ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFTrDA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
PFUnA ND HI µg/L PFAS Not Detected
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.2 ppb from 1992 (0.0 ppb) to 2023 (1.2 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how New Hampton compares by contaminant

Explore where New Hampton ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
3,494
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where New Hampton's water comes from

Groundwater

New Hampton'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 3,494 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving New Hampton

System Name PWSID Population Source
NEW HAMPTON WATER SUPPLY IA1970051 3,494 GW
Regional Comparison

How New Hampton compares

Full Iowa rankings →

New Hampton's score of 92.2/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

New Hampton (this city)
92.2
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About New Hampton, IA

Wikipedia →

New Hampton is a city in and the county seat of Chickasaw County, Iowa, United States. The population was 3,494 at the time of the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$60,052
Median Income
$149,233
Median Home Value
$782/mo
Median Rent
3.6%
Unemployment
Community
44.3
Median Age
400
People / sq mi
19.8%
College Educated
76.5%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is New Hampton, IA tap water safe to drink?

New Hampton's water quality earned a grade of A (92.2/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #98 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in New Hampton's water?

Lead was measured at 1.2 ppb (90th percentile). 1 PFAS compound was detected. 6 violations are on record.

How is New Hampton'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 New Hampton?

PFAS compounds have been detected. A filter with activated carbon can help reduce exposure.

Where does New Hampton's water come from?

New Hampton's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 3,494 residents.

Is New Hampton's groundwater at risk of contamination?

New Hampton 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 6 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 New Hampton's water compare to other cities?

New Hampton ranks #98 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 78% of state cities) and #1336 out of 15744 cities nationally (92th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.