Is Prairie City, 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 ↓
94.1/100
waterverge.com Prairie City, IA — Water Quality Report
Prairie City's drinking water received a grade of A (94.1 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,703 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 8 violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Prairie City's water
Prairie City ranks #31 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Prairie City 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, Prairie City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Prairie City, IA water safe to drink?
Prairie City's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,703 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Prairie City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Prairie City's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.1/100).
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: Nitrate.
Contaminants: Nitrate.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Prairie City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Prairie City's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 3 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Jasper County has experienced 7 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 South Skunk River At Colfax, Des Moines River Near Swan.
Where does Prairie City's water come from?
Prairie City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,703 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include South Skunk River At Colfax (river), Des Moines River Near Swan (river).
What Prairie City 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.
Prairie City'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
Jasper County has experienced 7 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 Prairie City compares by contaminant
Explore where Prairie City ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Prairie City's water comes from
Prairie City'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 1,703 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near Prairie City
Prairie City is located near 2 notable water bodies. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving Prairie City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| PRAIRIE CITY WATER WORKS | IA5064055 | 1,703 | GW |
How Prairie City compares
Full Iowa rankings →Prairie City's score of 94.1/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Prairie City, IA
Wikipedia →Prairie City is a city in Jasper County, Iowa, United States. The population was 1,700 at the time of the 2020 census. It is twenty-two miles east of Des Moines.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Prairie City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Jasper
Frequently asked questions
Is Prairie City, IA tap water safe to drink?
Prairie City's water quality earned a grade of A (94.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #31 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Prairie City's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.
How is Prairie City'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 Prairie City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Prairie City's water come from?
Prairie City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,703 residents.
What health violations has Prairie City's water system had?
Prairie City has 3 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in May 2005. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is Prairie City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Prairie City 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 8 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 Prairie City's water compare to other cities?
Prairie City ranks #31 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 93% of state cities) and #618 out of 15744 cities nationally (96th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Prairie City's small water system affect quality?
Prairie City's system serves approximately 1,703 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 8 violations on record.