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Not health advice. Contact your local water utility for concerns.
Data from EPA Water Quality Reports. For official information, contact your water utility or health department.
Real EPA measurements of copper for Iowa water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
Every Iowa system with a copper result in EPA's data, sorted by level. Averages of 2012–2019 finished-water samples, non-detects counted as zero — historical, not today's tap.
| City | Level | Period | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| MuscatineGrade C | 541.60 ug/LAverage of 94 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 41.7% | Safe |
| Sioux CityGrade C | 438.84 ug/LAverage of 216 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 33.8% | Safe |
| ClintonGrade A | 386.72 ug/LAverage of 98 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 29.7% | Safe |
| Cedar FallsGrade A | 211.39 ug/LAverage of 90 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 16.3% | Safe |
| North LibertyGrade A | 182.89 ug/LAverage of 180 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 14.1% | Safe |
| WaterlooGrade A | 122.25 ug/LAverage of 183 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 9.4% | Safe |
| Fort DodgeGrade A | 114.00 ug/LAverage of 90 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 8.8% | Safe |
| CoralvilleGrade A | 100.11 ug/LAverage of 90 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 7.7% | Safe |
| MarionGrade A | 74.13 ug/LAverage of 90 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 5.7% | Safe |
| Mason CityGrade A | 67.78 ug/LAverage of 60 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 5.2% | Safe |
| DavenportGrade B | 59.44 ug/LAverage of 209 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 4.6% | Safe |
| JohnstonGrade A | 50.85 ug/LAverage of 180 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 3.9% | Safe |
| Council BluffsGrade A | 37.32 ug/LAverage of 317 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 2.9% | Safe |
| Cedar RapidsGrade A | 29.82 ug/LAverage of 420 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 2.3% | Safe |
| OttumwaGrade A | 16.48 ug/LAverage of 90 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 1.3% | Safe |
| BurlingtonGrade A | 14.36 ug/LAverage of 90 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 1.1% | Safe |
| AnkenyGrade A | 11.24 ug/LAverage of 242 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.9% | Safe |
| DubuqueGrade B | 12.29 ug/LAverage of 343 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.9% | Safe |
| MarshalltownGrade A | 6.91 ug/LAverage of 97 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.5% | Safe |
| Iowa CityGrade A | 5.00 ug/LAverage of 60 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.4% | Safe |
| West Des MoinesGrade A | 4.24 ug/LAverage of 210 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.3% | Safe |
| AmesGrade A | 4.01 ug/LAverage of 304 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.3% | Safe |
| UrbandaleGrade A | 3.63 ug/LAverage of 91 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.3% | Safe |
| Des MoinesGrade A | 2.94 ug/LAverage of 323 samples | 2012–2019 | 1300.00 ug/L | 0.2% | Safe |
Copper is essential in small amounts, but elevated levels can cause gastrointestinal distress including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Long-term exposure can cause liver or kidney damage. People with Wilson's disease are particularly vulnerable. Very high levels can give water a blue-green color and metallic taste.
Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits; copper pipes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,copper has been detected in 24 Iowa water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 8% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 41.7% of the limit.
The EPA action level for copper is 1.3 mg/L. The EPA MCL for copper is 1.3 mg/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
24 Iowa cities have copper detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Gastrointestinal distress, liver and kidney damage with long-term exposure. The most vulnerable groups include people with wilson's disease and infants under 1 year.
The most effective methods for removing copper include Reverse Osmosis, Distillation, Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for copper reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for copper is 1.3 mg/L.The EPA action level for copper is 1.3 mg/L.
This page shows what Iowa utilities reported for copper. It cannot tell you what is coming out of your own tap: utility samples are taken across a whole system and averaged, levels vary by address and season, and anything picked up after the water leaves the main never appears in their report.
Home water test kitscheck your own tap before buying any filterRecommended filtration methods for copper removal:
Removes 97-98% of copper
Very effective
Water softeners can help
Paid links. We earn a commission if you buy, at no extra cost to you. Filters are matched to the removal methods listed above for copper.