Is Van Horne, 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 ↓
93.1/100
waterverge.com Van Horne, IA — Water Quality Report
Van Horne's drinking water received a grade of A (93.1 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 779 residents using gup.
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 11 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Van Horne's water
Van Horne ranks #70 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
As a small community water system, Van Horne may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Van Horne, IA water safe to drink?
Van Horne's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.1/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 779 residents using gup.
Recent water quality updates for Van Horne
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Van Horne's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.1/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4289). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3239). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Van Horne's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Van Horne's water system has 11 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.
Flood & environmental risk
Benton 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.
Where does Van Horne's water come from?
Van Horne's drinking water comes from gup, supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 779 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Van Horne 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.
Van Horne'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
Benton 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.
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 Van Horne compares by contaminant
Explore where Van Horne ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Van Horne's water comes from
Van Horne's water comes from groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, a designation that requires the same treatment rigor as surface water systems.
This source type is vulnerable to both surface contamination pathways and naturally occurring underground contaminants.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 779 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Van Horne
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| VAN HORNE WATER WORKS | IA0685045 | 779 | GUP |
How Van Horne compares
Full Iowa rankings →Van Horne's score of 93.1/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Van Horne, IA
Wikipedia →Van Horne is a city in Benton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 774 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cedar Rapids Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Van Horne's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Benton
Frequently asked questions
Is Van Horne, IA tap water safe to drink?
Van Horne's water quality earned a grade of A (93.1/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #70 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Van Horne's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 11 violations are on record.
How is Van Horne'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 Van Horne?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Van Horne's water come from?
Van Horne's water is sourced from GUP. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 779 residents.
What health violations has Van Horne's water system had?
Van Horne has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in February 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Van Horne's water compare to other cities?
Van Horne ranks #70 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 84% of state cities) and #979 out of 15744 cities nationally (94th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Van Horne's small water system affect quality?
Van Horne's system serves approximately 779 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 11 violations on record.