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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 haloacetic acids (haa5) for Iowa water systems — Six-Year Review compliance samples 2012–2019 (historical). Methodology
Every Iowa system with a haloacetic acids (haa5) 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BurlingtonGrade A | 28.97 ug/LAverage of 24 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 48.3% | Safe |
| Sioux CityGrade C | 24.75 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 41.3% | Safe |
| OttumwaGrade A | 24.61 ug/LAverage of 24 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 41.0% | Safe |
| Council BluffsGrade A | 13.63 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 22.7% | Safe |
| Fort DodgeGrade A | 11.83 ug/LAverage of 6 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 19.7% | Safe |
| UrbandaleGrade A | 11.75 ug/LAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 19.6% | Safe |
| DubuqueGrade B | 11.60 ug/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 19.3% | Safe |
| Des MoinesGrade A | 9.25 ug/LAverage of 4 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 15.4% | Safe |
| MarionGrade A | 5.75 ug/LAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 9.6% | Safe |
| Iowa CityGrade A | 3.50 ug/LAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 5.8% | Safe |
| ClintonGrade A | 0.863 ug/LAverage of 8 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 1.4% | Safe |
| AmesGrade A | 0.150 ug/LAverage of 40 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.3% | Safe |
| Cedar FallsGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| MarshalltownGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| Mason CityGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| MuscatineGrade C | 0 ug/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| North LibertyGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 1 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
| CoralvilleGrade A | 0 ug/LAverage of 2 samples | 2012–2019 | 60.00 ug/L | 0.0% | Safe |
Haloacetic acids are disinfection byproducts formed when chlorine or other disinfectants react with organic matter. The EPA regulates five HAAs (HAA5): monochloroacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid, trichloroacetic acid, monobromoacetic acid, and dibromoacetic acid. Studies have linked HAAs to increased cancer risk and potential developmental and reproductive effects. Dichloroacetic acid in particular has been shown to cause liver cancer in laboratory animals.
Formed during water disinfection when chlorine reacts with organic compounds; levels vary with source water quality and treatment processes
Based on our analysis of EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) data and local water utility reports,haloacetic acids (haa5) has been detected in 18 Iowa water systems. The average level across all tested cities is 14% of the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), with the highest detection at 48.3% of the limit.
The EPA MCL for HAA5 is 60 ug/L (60 ppb). The EPA MCL for haloacetic acids (haa5) is 60 ug/L. This limit is set to protect public health based on available scientific evidence about the contaminant's health effects.
18 Iowa cities have haloacetic acids (haa5) detected in their water supply. All tested cities are within EPA safety limits.
Increased cancer risk, potential liver damage, developmental effects. The most vulnerable groups include pregnant women and people with liver conditions.
The most effective methods for removing haloacetic acids (haa5) include Activated Carbon, Reverse Osmosis, Distillation. Look for filters certified by NSF/ANSI for haloacetic acids (haa5) reduction.
The EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for haloacetic acids (haa5) is 60 ug/L.The EPA MCL for HAA5 is 60 ug/L (60 ppb).
This page shows what Iowa utilities reported for haloacetic acids (haa5). 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 haloacetic acids (haa5) removal:
Granular activated carbon effective for HAAs
Removes most HAAs
Effective removal
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 haloacetic acids (haa5).