Is What Cheer, 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 ↓
93.5/100
waterverge.com What Cheer, IA — Water Quality Report
What Cheer's drinking water received a grade of A (93.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 607 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 2.1 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 10 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
What to know about What Cheer's water
What Cheer ranks #51 out of 436 cities in Iowa for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
What Cheer 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, What Cheer may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is What Cheer, IA water safe to drink?
What Cheer's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 607 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for What Cheer
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into What Cheer's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.5/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4421). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4119). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).
2 health-based. Contaminants: Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U, Combined Radium (-226 and -228).
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for What Cheer's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
What Cheer's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
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.
Where does What Cheer's water come from?
What Cheer's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 607 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 What Cheer 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.
What Cheer'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
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.
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. | 2.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how What Cheer compares by contaminant
Explore where What Cheer ranks among all Iowa cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where What Cheer's water comes from
What Cheer 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 What Cheer'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 607 people through 1 water system.
Water bodies near What Cheer
What Cheer is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.
Water systems serving What Cheer
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WHAT CHEER WATER SUPPLY | IA5493016 | 607 | GWP |
How What Cheer compares
Full Iowa rankings →What Cheer's score of 93.5/100 is above the average of 72/100 among major Iowa cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Iowa rankings →About What Cheer, 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.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to What Cheer's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Keokuk
Frequently asked questions
Is What Cheer, IA tap water safe to drink?
What Cheer's water quality earned a grade of A (93.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #51 out of 436 cities tested in Iowa.
What contaminants are in What Cheer's water?
Lead was measured at 2.1 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.
How is What Cheer'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 What Cheer?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does What Cheer's water come from?
What Cheer's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 607 residents.
What health violations has What Cheer's water system had?
What Cheer has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2005. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is What Cheer's groundwater at risk of contamination?
What Cheer 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 10 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 What Cheer's water compare to other cities?
What Cheer ranks #51 out of 436 cities in Iowa (better than 88% of state cities) and #831 out of 15744 cities nationally (95th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does What Cheer's small water system affect quality?
What Cheer's system serves approximately 607 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 10 violations on record.