WaterVerge

Is Sigourney, 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 ↓

2K residents served 1 water system PWSID: IA5475050
Overall Score
91.6 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#120 of 436 in Iowa Top 10% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.6/100
waterverge.com
A 91.6/100

Sigourney, IA — Water Quality Report

Sigourney's drinking water received a grade of A (91.6 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,004 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.9 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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Sigourney's water

Sigourney ranks #120 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Sigourney 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, Sigourney may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.6 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.6/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Sigourney, IA water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Sigourney's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,004 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
1.9 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
9 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Sigourney

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Sigourney's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.6/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

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

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4119). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Antimony, Total.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.9 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Sigourney's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2005 Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Resolved
Oct 1992 Antimony, Total Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Keokuk 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. Local water sources include North Skunk River Near Sigourney.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4421
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4119
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3239

Where does Sigourney's water come from?

Sigourney's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,004 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include North Skunk River Near Sigourney (river).

What Sigourney 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

Sigourney'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
1.9 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 13% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

3
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jul 2005
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

3 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
2 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Inorganic Chemicals
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2005 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Aug 2005
Oct 1992 Resolved
Antimony, Total
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1995
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

9
Declared disasters
Mar 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Keokuk 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
May 2013
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4119
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

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.9 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 decreased by 5.1 ppb from 1993 (7.0 ppb) to 2023 (1.9 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Sigourney compares by contaminant

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

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,004
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Sigourney's water comes from

Groundwater

Sigourney'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 2,004 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Sigourney

Sigourney is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

North Skunk River Near Sigourney
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Sigourney

System Name PWSID Population Source
SIGOURNEY MUNI WATER WORKS IA5475050 2,004 GW
Regional Comparison

How Sigourney compares

Full Iowa rankings →

Sigourney's score of 91.6/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Sigourney (this city)
91.6
Ames
81.5
Iowa avg
72
City Profile

About Sigourney, IA

Wikipedia →

Sigourney is a city and the county seat of Keokuk County, Iowa, United States. The population was 2,004 at the time of the 2020 census. Keokuk County Courthouse is located in the Public Square Historic District. Both are on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Sigourney, IA tap water safe to drink?

Sigourney's water quality earned a grade of A (91.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #120 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.

What contaminants are in Sigourney's water?

Lead was measured at 1.9 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.

How is Sigourney'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 Sigourney?

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

Where does Sigourney's water come from?

Sigourney's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,004 residents.

Is Sigourney's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Sigourney 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 3 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 Sigourney's water compare to other cities?

Sigourney ranks #120 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 72% of state cities) and #1587 out of 15744 cities nationally (90th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Sigourney's small water system affect quality?

Sigourney's system serves approximately 2,004 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 3 violations on record.