WaterVerge

Is Schleswig, 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 ↓

803 residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA2446029
Overall Score
91.4 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#135 of 436 in Iowa Top 11% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.4/100
waterverge.com
A 91.4/100

Schleswig, IA — Water Quality Report

Schleswig's drinking water received a grade of A (91.4 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 803 residents using purchased ground water.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 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 36 violations on record, including 14 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Schleswig's water

Schleswig ranks #135 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Schleswig purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, Schleswig may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.4 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
41.4/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is Schleswig, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Schleswig's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 803 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Schleswig

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Schleswig's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.4/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3239). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Schleswig's water system has 36 total violations on record, including 14 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MONMRMCL
Most recent violations:
Oct 2020 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Aug 2015 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Aug 1999 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Jul 1996 Nitrate Resolved
Apr 1996 Nitrate Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Crawford County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1965. 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-4421
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3239
SEVERE STORMS, TORNADOES AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-1230

Where does Schleswig's water come from?

Schleswig's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 803 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Schleswig 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

Schleswig'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
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

36
Total violations
14
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Oct 2020
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

36 Total
2 Active
14 Health-based
34 Resolved
Violations by category
Nitrate Rule
20
Total Coliform Rule
6
Inorganic Chemicals
6
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Oct 1989 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Oct 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Oct 2020
Aug 2015 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2015
Aug 1999 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 1999
Jul 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 1996
Apr 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Apr 1996
Mar 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1996
Mar 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 1996
Jan 1996 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jan 1996
Nov 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 1995
Nov 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 1995
Oct 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 1995
Aug 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Aug 1995
Jun 1995 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 1995
Oct 1994 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Oct 1994
Sep 1994 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1994
Sep 1994 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1994
Jul 1994 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jul 1994
Apr 1994 Resolved
Nitrate
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Apr 1994
Showing 20 of 36 violations
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Mar 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Crawford County has experienced 9 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Mar 2019
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4421
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
May 1990
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #868
Jun 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #443

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.0 ppb from 1993 (0.0 ppb) to 2024 (1.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Schleswig compares by contaminant

Explore where Schleswig ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
803
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Schleswig's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

Schleswig purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Schleswig's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 803 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Schleswig

System Name PWSID Population Source
SCHLESWIG MUNIC WATER SUPPLY IA2446029 803 GWP
Regional Comparison

How Schleswig compares

Full Iowa rankings →

Schleswig's score of 91.4/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Schleswig (this city)
91.4
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About Schleswig, IA

Wikipedia →

Schleswig is a city in Crawford County, Iowa, United States. The population was 830 at the time of the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$68,567
Median Income
$113,015
Median Home Value
$486/mo
Median Rent
4.5%
Unemployment
Community
36.1
Median Age
291
People / sq mi
18.7%
College Educated
75.3%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Schleswig, IA tap water safe to drink?

Schleswig's water quality earned a grade of A (91.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #135 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in Schleswig's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 36 violations are on record.

How is Schleswig'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 Schleswig?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Schleswig's water come from?

Schleswig's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 803 residents.

What health violations has Schleswig's water system had?

Schleswig has 14 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2020. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.

Is Schleswig's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Schleswig 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 36 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 Schleswig's water compare to other cities?

Schleswig ranks #135 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 69% of state cities) and #1730 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 Schleswig's small water system affect quality?

Schleswig's system serves approximately 803 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 36 violations on record.