Is Swea 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 ↓
86.7/100
waterverge.com Swea City, IA — Water Quality Report
Swea City's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.7 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 584 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 2.0 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 1 violation on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Swea City's water
Swea City ranks #318 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Swea 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, Swea City may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Swea City, IA water safe to drink?
Swea City's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (86.7/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 584 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Swea City
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Swea City's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4184). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Swea City's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Swea City's water system has 1 total violation on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Kossuth County has experienced 8 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.
Where does Swea City's water come from?
Swea City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 584 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Swea 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.
Swea 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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Swea City
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Swea City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 4 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MOVEERO ARMSTRONG ARMSTRONG, IA50514 | Lead | 3 | 8.7 mi |
VALERO LAKOTA PLANT LAKOTA, IA50451 | Acetaldehyde | 1 | 8.4 mi |
STANDARD NUTRITION CO BANCROFT, IA50517 | — | — | 9.4 mi |
BRANDFX LLC SWEA CITY, IA50590 | — | — | 0.2 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Kossuth County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1965. 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. | 2.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Swea City compares by contaminant
Explore where Swea City ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Swea City's water comes from
Swea 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 584 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Swea City
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWEA CITY WATER SUPPLY | IA5584009 | 584 | GW |
How Swea City compares
Full Iowa rankings →Swea City's score of 86.7/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Swea City, IA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Swea City's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Kossuth
Frequently asked questions
Is Swea City, IA tap water safe to drink?
Swea City's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #318 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Swea City's water?
Lead was measured at 2.0 ppb (90th percentile). 1 violation is on record.
How is Swea 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 Swea City?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Swea City's water come from?
Swea City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 584 residents.
Is Swea City's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Swea 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 1 violation 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 Swea City's water compare to other cities?
Swea City ranks #318 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 27% of state cities) and #4567 out of 15744 cities nationally (71th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Swea City's small water system affect quality?
Swea City's system serves approximately 584 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 1 violation on record.