Lithium Contamination

Lithium in Iowa Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Detected

100%

% Detected

73.1 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

303

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in Iowa: what the data shows

Iowa has 98 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 98 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 73.1 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

Iowa

100%

98 of 98 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2808 of 2808 cities

City Map

Lithium data across Iowa

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in Iowa

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Iowa cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Indianola	480.0 µg/L	Detected	7	A-
2	Ottumwa	420.0 µg/L	Detected	6	B+
3	Coralville	390.0 µg/L	Detected	15	B
4	West Des Moines	380.0 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
5	Mount Pleasant	370.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
6	Altoona	250.0 µg/L	Detected	20	B+
7	Sioux City	240.0 µg/L	Detected	14	B
8	Fairfield	199.0 µg/L	Detected	15	A-
9	Marion	182.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A-
10	Webster City	170.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A
11	Melcher-Dallas	160.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A
12	Council Bluffs	150.0 µg/L	Detected	8	B+
13	Knoxville	150.0 µg/L	Detected	2	B
14	Waverly	140.0 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
15	Newton	140.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
16	Grinnell	140.0 µg/L	Detected	13	D+
17	Storm Lake	130.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
18	Pella	130.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
19	De Witt	110.0 µg/L	Detected	26	B+
20	West Liberty	100.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A
21	Fort Dodge	96.0 µg/L	Detected	19	D+
22	Mason City	92.0 µg/L	Detected	18	A-
23	Le Mars	92.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
24	Anamosa	83.0 µg/L	Detected	5	B-
25	Hospers	82.0 µg/L	Detected	5	B+
26	North Liberty	78.0 µg/L	Detected	29	B-
27	Estherville	78.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
28	Dyersville	78.0 µg/L	Detected	23	A
29	Sioux Center	77.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
30	Rock Rapids	77.0 µg/L	Detected	12	B+
31	Iowa City	72.0 µg/L	Detected	171	F
32	Asbury	69.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
33	Cherokee	68.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
34	Clinton	67.4 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
35	Waukee	61.0 µg/L	Detected	13	A-
36	Sergeant Bluff	60.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A
37	Onawa	60.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
38	Carter Lake	58.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A-
39	Camanche	55.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
40	Anita	55.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
41	Boone	53.0 µg/L	Detected	9	B
42	Carroll	53.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B
43	Norwalk	47.6 µg/L	Detected	1	A
44	Sheldon	44.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
45	Bancroft	44.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
46	Clive	43.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
47	Algona	41.0 µg/L	Detected	14	B
48	Emmetsburg	40.8 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
49	Washington	38.0 µg/L	Detected	13	B+
50	Orange City	37.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
51	Johnston	33.0 µg/L	Detected	6	B+
52	Glenwood	33.0 µg/L	Detected	13	A+
53	Ames	29.0 µg/L	Detected	15	B+
54	Des Moines	28.0 µg/L	Detected	7	B+
55	Ankeny	28.0 µg/L	Detected	15	B
56	Urbandale	28.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
57	Oelwein	28.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
58	Ireton	26.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
59	Maquoketa	25.0 µg/L	Detected	18	A-
60	May City	23.3 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
61	Luther	23.0 µg/L	Detected	8	A
62	Grimes	22.0 µg/L	Detected	13	A-
63	Waterloo	20.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
64	Marshalltown	20.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
65	Wall Lake	20.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
66	Clear Lake	19.2 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
67	Spirit Lake	19.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A
68	Woodward	18.0 µg/L	Detected	17	B
69	Keokuk	17.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
70	Manning	17.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
71	Fort Madison	16.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A-
72	Graettinger	16.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A
73	Red Oak	16.0 µg/L	Detected	9	A-
74	Forest City	16.0 µg/L	Detected	8	B
75	Cedar Falls	15.2 µg/L	Detected	4	A-
76	Bondurant	14.8 µg/L	Detected	1	A
77	Burlington	14.0 µg/L	Detected	7	B+
78	Oskaloosa	14.0 µg/L	Detected	11	A-
79	Denison	14.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
80	Rock Valley	14.0 µg/L	Detected	13	B+
81	Humboldt	14.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
82	Mount Vernon	14.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
83	Minburn	13.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A-
84	Stratford	13.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A-
85	Avoca	13.0 µg/L	Detected	6	A
86	Shenandoah	13.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
87	Eagle Grove	13.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
88	New Hampton	12.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
89	Spencer	11.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
90	Hampton	11.0 µg/L	Detected	10	A-
91	Cambridge	11.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
92	Okoboji	11.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
93	Tama	10.1 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
94	Polk City	10.1 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
95	Atlantic	10.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
96	Perry	9.7 µg/L	Detected	3	A
97	Nevada	9.4 µg/L	Detected	7	A
98	Iowa Falls	9.1 µg/L	Detected	6	B

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in Iowa

Is lithium in Iowa tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 98 cities in Iowa had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

More contaminants