Des Moines, Iowa Water Quality Report
Comprehensive water safety analysis • Updated February 2026
Des Moines's water quality score of 69/100 falls below average, with 0 contaminants at concerning levels.
•All 8 historical violation(s) in Des Moines have been resolved.
Water Safety Overview
Some Concerns. Consider a water filter for extra protection. Score: 69/100.
Want to understand your score better? Learn how scores are calculated →
All Detected Contaminants
10 contaminants tested • EPA SDWIS data
| Contaminant | Level Detected | EPA Limit | % of Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Trihalomethanes | 30.59 ug/L | 80.00 ug/L | 38.2% | Safe |
Lead | 0.0051 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | 34.1% | Safe |
Chromium | 0.029 mg/L | 0.100 mg/L | 29.0% | Safe |
Fluoride | 0.821 mg/L | 4.00 mg/L | 20.5% | Safe |
Copper | 0.256 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | 19.7% | Safe |
Nitrate | 1.84 mg/L | 10.00 mg/L | 18.4% | Safe |
Nitrite | 0.176 mg/L | 1.00 mg/L | 17.6% | Safe |
Arsenic | 0.0016 mg/L | 0.010 mg/L | 15.9% | Safe |
Haloacetic Acids | 4.16 ug/L | 60.00 ug/L | 6.9% | Safe |
Mercury | 0.0001 mg/L | 0.0020 mg/L | 3.6% | Safe |
Recommended Water Filters for Des Moines
Based on detected contaminants
Reverse Osmosis System
Best for Des Moines. Removes 95-99% of contaminants including heavy metals, PFAS, and nitrates.
- ✓ Removes lead
- ✓ Removes arsenic
- ✓ Removes nitrates
- ✓ Removes total dissolved solids
Activated Carbon Filter
Good for Des Moines. Removes chlorine, improves taste, and filters many organic compounds.
- ✓ Removes chlorine and chloramine
- ✓ Improves taste and odor
- ✓ Filters pesticides and VOCs
NSF 53 Lead Certification Required
Lead detected in Des Moines. Ensure any filter is NSF/ANSI 53 certified for lead removal.
EPA Compliance History
Past violations for Des Moines's water system
other
Copper - 2/4/2021
Resolvedmonitoring
Total Trihalomethanes - 2/4/2023
Resolvedreporting
Nitrite - 2/4/2021
Resolvedmonitoring
Mercury - 2/3/2025
Resolvedother
Total Trihalomethanes - 2/4/2022
ResolvedShowing 5 of 8 violations
Water System Information
DES MOINES WATER SYSTEM
- PWS ID:
- IA110660
- Population Served:
- 215,904
- Water Source:
- surface
Des Moines Water Quality Score
Based on EPA contaminant data and compliance records
Areas of Concern
- Aging infrastructure may affect water quality
- Recent compliance violations
Positive Findings
- Water quality needs improvement
Protect Your Family's Water
Even with good water quality, many families choose to filter their water for extra peace of mind.
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