Arsenic Contamination

Arsenic in Iowa Drinking Water

Ranked by arsenic violation count · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

161

Cities Tested

161

Has Violations

100%

% Has Violations

2.8 violations

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

303

Health Violations

Analysis

Arsenic in Iowa: what the data shows

Iowa has 161 cities with arsenic-related violations on record. Arsenic contamination is a federal MCL violation at levels above 10 µg/L (10 ppb). The state has 161 cities with at least one arsenic violation. Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through erosion of natural deposits, particularly in western states with arsenite-bearing geology. Industrial sources include mining runoff, glass manufacturing, and semiconductor production. Groundwater systems are significantly more likely to have arsenic issues than surface water systems. Long-term arsenic exposure above the MCL increases the risk of bladder, lung, and skin cancer, as well as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Reverse osmosis and specialized arsenic-removal media are the most effective point-of-use treatment options.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 10 µg/L EPA MCL

Iowa

100%

161 of 161 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

5489 of 5489 cities

City Map

Arsenic data across Iowa

Each dot is a city with arsenic violation data. Cities with at least one arsenic-related violation are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by arsenic level in Iowa

Highest Arsenic levels (violations)

All Cities

All Iowa cities ranked by arsenic level

#	City	Level	Violations?	Violations	Grade
1	Solon	104 violations	Yes	157	F
2	Iowa City	18 violations	Yes	171	F
3	Muscatine	17 violations	Yes	46	F
4	Dubuque	14 violations	Yes	30	F
5	Blue Grass	10 violations	Yes	43	C
6	Ellsworth	10 violations	Yes	9	A-
7	Cedar Rapids	9 violations	Yes	31	D
8	Hubbard	9 violations	Yes	9	A
9	Davenport	8 violations	Yes	2	C-
10	Scranton	7 violations	Yes	6	B
11	Woodward	6 violations	Yes	17	B
12	Bettendorf	6 violations	Yes	11	C+
13	Fort Dodge	5 violations	Yes	19	D+
14	Coralville	5 violations	Yes	15	B
15	North Liberty	4 violations	Yes	29	B-
16	Monticello	4 violations	Yes	22	D
17	Panora	4 violations	Yes	26	A-
18	Marengo	4 violations	Yes	12	B-
19	Elkader	4 violations	Yes	0	B+
20	Eldridge	3 violations	Yes	9	B+
21	Webster City	3 violations	Yes	3	A
22	Anamosa	3 violations	Yes	5	B-
23	Manning	3 violations	Yes	4	A-
24	Peosta	3 violations	Yes	7	A-
25	Center Point	3 violations	Yes	3	B
26	Wapello	3 violations	Yes	12	B+
27	Moville	3 violations	Yes	11	A-
28	Nashua	3 violations	Yes	0	A-
29	Princeton	3 violations	Yes	18	B
30	Walford	3 violations	Yes	7	D
31	Zearing	3 violations	Yes	2	A-
32	Ames	2 violations	Yes	15	B+
33	Ankeny	2 violations	Yes	15	B
34	Council Bluffs	2 violations	Yes	8	B+
35	Ottumwa	2 violations	Yes	6	B+
36	Centerville	2 violations	Yes	4	B+
37	Cherokee	2 violations	Yes	2	A-
38	Adel	2 violations	Yes	2	A
39	Rock Rapids	2 violations	Yes	12	B+
40	De Witt	2 violations	Yes	26	B+
41	Hampton	2 violations	Yes	10	A-
42	Garner	2 violations	Yes	0	A
43	Kalona	2 violations	Yes	3	B+
44	Hawarden	2 violations	Yes	4	A
45	Wall Lake	2 violations	Yes	4	A-
46	Doon	2 violations	Yes	32	B+
47	La Porte City	2 violations	Yes	2	A
48	Van Meter	2 violations	Yes	6	A-
49	Monona	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
50	Buffalo	2 violations	Yes	12	A-
51	Central City	2 violations	Yes	3	A
52	Oxford	2 violations	Yes	24	C+
53	Clarence	2 violations	Yes	3	A
54	Armstrong	2 violations	Yes	1	B+
55	Hamburg	2 violations	Yes	0	A
56	Donnellson	2 violations	Yes	20	B+
57	Gilbertville	2 violations	Yes	0	A-
58	Van Horne	2 violations	Yes	1	A
59	Alden	2 violations	Yes	1	A
60	Swisher	2 violations	Yes	37	F
61	Merrill	2 violations	Yes	4	A
62	Battle Creek	2 violations	Yes	13	A-
63	Alburnett	2 violations	Yes	3	A
64	Delhi	2 violations	Yes	0	B+
65	Des Moines	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
66	Sioux City	1 violations	Yes	14	B
67	West Des Moines	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
68	Waterloo	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
69	Waverly	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
70	Cedar Falls	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
71	Burlington	1 violations	Yes	7	B+
72	Waukee	1 violations	Yes	13	A-
73	Marshalltown	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
74	Johnston	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
75	Spencer	1 violations	Yes	1	A
76	Mount Pleasant	1 violations	Yes	2	A
77	Red Oak	1 violations	Yes	9	A-
78	Clarinda	1 violations	Yes	48	B
79	Clear Lake	1 violations	Yes	2	A-
80	Washington	1 violations	Yes	13	B+
81	Hiawatha	1 violations	Yes	12	B-
82	Stratford	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
83	Polk City	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
84	Orange City	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
85	Ireton	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
86	Avoca	1 violations	Yes	6	A
87	Algona	1 violations	Yes	14	B
88	Tiffin	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
89	Camanche	1 violations	Yes	0	A
90	West Burlington	1 violations	Yes	17	B+
91	Forest City	1 violations	Yes	8	B
92	Story City	1 violations	Yes	0	A
93	Montezuma	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
94	Missouri Valley	1 violations	Yes	6	C+
95	West Branch	1 violations	Yes	0	B
96	South Amana	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
97	Sutherland	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
98	Bellevue	1 violations	Yes	18	A-
99	Bloomfield	1 violations	Yes	41	A-
100	Belmond	1 violations	Yes	0	A
101	Lisbon	1 violations	Yes	21	B+
102	Toledo	1 violations	Yes	8	A
103	Cascade	1 violations	Yes	0	A
104	Ely	1 violations	Yes	0	A
105	Lamoni	1 violations	Yes	5	B+
106	Denver	1 violations	Yes	2	A
107	Atkins	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
108	Parkersburg	1 violations	Yes	0	B+
109	Mount Ayr	1 violations	Yes	10	A
110	Corydon	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
111	Akron	1 violations	Yes	4	A-
112	Walcott	1 violations	Yes	0	A
113	Bedford	1 violations	Yes	19	A-
114	Earlham	1 violations	Yes	12	A
115	Kingsley	1 violations	Yes	3	A-
116	New Sharon	1 violations	Yes	0	A
117	Lone Tree	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
118	Clarksville	1 violations	Yes	1	A
119	Springville	1 violations	Yes	0	A
120	Alton	1 violations	Yes	1	A
121	Gilbert	1 violations	Yes	1	B+
122	Riverside	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
123	Shellsburg	1 violations	Yes	12	A-
124	Calmar	1 violations	Yes	4	A
125	Dunkerton	1 violations	Yes	6	A-
126	Sidney	1 violations	Yes	1	B
127	North English	1 violations	Yes	0	A
128	Malvern	1 violations	Yes	2	B+
129	Janesville	1 violations	Yes	5	A
130	Baxter	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
131	Paullina	1 violations	Yes	3	A
132	Long Grove	1 violations	Yes	6	A
133	Aurelia	1 violations	Yes	0	A
134	Wayland	1 violations	Yes	4	A
135	De Soto	1 violations	Yes	1	B
136	Newell	1 violations	Yes	0	A
137	Mcgregor	1 violations	Yes	6	B+
138	Elkhart	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
139	Sully	1 violations	Yes	8	A
140	Victor	1 violations	Yes	1	C+
141	Winthrop	1 violations	Yes	0	A
142	Adair	1 violations	Yes	13	A
143	Schleswig	1 violations	Yes	14	A
144	Gladbrook	1 violations	Yes	1	A
145	Okoboji	1 violations	Yes	1	A
146	Milo	1 violations	Yes	4	A
147	Walnut	1 violations	Yes	10	A
148	Exira	1 violations	Yes	1	A-
149	Redfield	1 violations	Yes	0	A
150	Earlville	1 violations	Yes	15	A-
151	Essex	1 violations	Yes	15	A-
152	Boyden	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
153	Kanawha	1 violations	Yes	0	A-
154	Olin	1 violations	Yes	2	A
155	Goldfield	1 violations	Yes	0	A
156	Keystone	1 violations	Yes	7	A-
157	Clermont	1 violations	Yes	4	B+
158	New Hartford	1 violations	Yes	1	A
159	Radcliffe	1 violations	Yes	3	A
160	Ainsworth	1 violations	Yes	1	A
161	Breda	1 violations	Yes	0	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about arsenic in Iowa

Is arsenic in Iowa tap water a concern?

Yes — 161 cities in Iowa have arsenic-related violations on record. The EPA MCL for arsenic is 10 µg/L. Even at levels below the MCL, long-term arsenic exposure has been linked to cancer and cardiovascular disease.

How can I remove arsenic from my drinking water in Iowa?

Reverse osmosis (RO) systems are the most effective at removing arsenic, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Specialized arsenic-removal media (such as iron-based adsorption filters) are also highly effective. Standard carbon filters and pitcher filters do NOT effectively remove arsenic. If your water comes from a private well, have it tested for arsenic.

Where does arsenic in Iowa water come from?

Arsenic enters drinking water primarily through natural erosion of arsenic-bearing rock formations. It is most common in groundwater systems in the western United States, parts of the Midwest, and New England. Industrial sources include mining, smelting, and agricultural pesticide residues. Groundwater sources are far more likely to contain arsenic than surface water.

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