Is Walcott, 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 ↓
93.3/100
waterverge.com Walcott, IA — Water Quality Report
Walcott's drinking water received a grade of A (93.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,551 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 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Walcott's water
Walcott ranks #57 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
Walcott 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, Walcott may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Walcott, IA water safe to drink?
Walcott's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,551 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Walcott
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Walcott's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.3/100).
Contaminants: Nitrate.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4732). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
Contaminants: Arsenic.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Walcott's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Walcott's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Scott County has experienced 10 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.
Where does Walcott's water come from?
Walcott's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,551 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Walcott 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.
Walcott'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 Walcott
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Walcott, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
Total reported releases to surface water: 21,872 lbs
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
SSAB IOWA INC. MUSCATINE, IA52761 | Sodium nitrite | 21,869 | 7.3 mi |
CONTINENTAL CEMENT CO BUFFALO, IA52728 | Lead And Lead Compounds | 2 | 9.8 mi |
NOVELIS ALR ALUMINUM LLC - NOVELIS DAVENPORT CASTING DAVENPORT, IA52802 | Zinc compounds | 1 | 9.3 mi |
TWIN STATE INC DURANT, IA52747 | — | — | 8.2 mi |
CENTRAL PETROLEUM CO WALCOTT, IA52773 | — | — | 0.4 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Scott County has experienced 10 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 Walcott compares by contaminant
Explore where Walcott ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Walcott's water comes from
Walcott'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 1,551 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Walcott
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WALCOTT WATERWORKS | IA8285058 | 1,551 | GW |
How Walcott compares
Full Iowa rankings →Walcott's score of 93.3/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About Walcott, IA
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Walcott's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Scott
Frequently asked questions
Is Walcott, IA tap water safe to drink?
Walcott's water quality earned a grade of A (93.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #57 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in Walcott's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.
How is Walcott'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 Walcott?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Walcott's water come from?
Walcott's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,551 residents.
Is Walcott's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Walcott 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 6 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 Walcott's water compare to other cities?
Walcott ranks #57 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 87% of state cities) and #893 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 Walcott's small water system affect quality?
Walcott's system serves approximately 1,551 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 6 violations on record.