Des Moines, IA: 348 Violations - 62/100 (2026)
58 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-07-19
ZipCheckup grade for Des Moines: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Public water data for Des Moines, IA reveals a split picture - tap water quality varies meaningfully by service area and the city's grade reflects that variability.
Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19
Key Facts for Des Moines Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 348 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
Water Quality in Des Moines
We track water quality and home safety data for 58 ZIP codes in Des Moines, Iowa (population ~220,294), covering 10 community water systems serving approximately 421,355 people region-wide.
58 of 58 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations - 348 total, including no health-based violations.
Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)
Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 116 | 58 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 58 | 58 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 58 | 58 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 58 | 58 |
Lead Risk
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L
- 75% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
- 37% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
- Median year built: 1956
- Most common estimated pipe material: Galvanized Steel or Copper
- Lead exposure risk score: 52/100
- Estimated lead service line probability: 22%
- 8 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk
With 75% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Des Moines residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.
Housing Age Distribution
99,299 total housing units across 58 ZIP codes:
| Era | Units | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-1940 | 27,204 | 27% |
| 1940–1949 | 7,573 | 8% |
| 1950–1959 | 14,657 | 15% |
| 1960–1969 | 9,861 | 10% |
| 1970–1979 | 13,113 | 13% |
| 1980–1989 | 6,292 | 6% |
| 1990–1999 | 7,257 | 7% |
| 2000–2009 | 7,147 | 7% |
| 2010–2019 | 5,879 | 6% |
| 2020+ | 316 | 0% |
Flood Risk
FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Des Moines:
- 876 flood insurance claims on record
- $25,541,836 total paid out
- $29,157 average claim payout
- Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
- 4 of 58 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)
Radon Risk
Dominant EPA radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 58 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Neighborhoods by Safety Score
Safest Areas
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50320 | 66/100 | C | 6 |
| 50301 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50302 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50303 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50304 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50305 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50306 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50307 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50308 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
| 50318 | 62/100 | C | 6 |
Areas Needing Attention
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50312 | 51/100 | D | 6 |
| 50317 | 56/100 | C | 6 |
| 50313 | 56/100 | C | 6 |
| 50321 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
| 50316 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
| 50315 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
| 50314 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
| 50311 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
| 50310 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
| 50309 | 61/100 | C | 6 |
What Des Moines Residents Can Do
Test Your Water
- Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
- Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
- Check your ZIP code - each area in Des Moines has different water systems and risk levels
Filter Your Water
- NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
- NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
- Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)
Test for Radon
- Des Moines is in a high-risk radon area
- Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
- If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation
Stay Informed
- Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
- Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
- Review the annual water quality report from your local utility
All ZIP Codes in Des Moines
- 50301 [C] - 6 violations
- 50302 [C] - 6 violations
- 50303 [C] - 6 violations
- 50304 [C] - 6 violations
- 50305 [C] - 6 violations
- 50306 [C] - 6 violations
- 50307 [C] - 6 violations
- 50308 [C] - 6 violations
- 50309 [C] - 6 violations
- 50310 [C] - 6 violations
- 50311 [C] - 6 violations
- 50312 [D] - 6 violations
- 50313 [C] - 6 violations
- 50314 [C] - 6 violations
- 50315 [C] - 6 violations
- 50316 [C] - 6 violations
- 50317 [C] - 6 violations
- 50318 [C] - 6 violations
- 50319 [C] - 6 violations
- 50320 [C] - 6 violations
- 50321 [C] - 6 violations
- 50328 [C] - 6 violations
- 50329 [C] - 6 violations
- 50330 [C] - 6 violations
- 50331 [C] - 6 violations
- 50332 [C] - 6 violations
- 50333 [C] - 6 violations
- 50334 [C] - 6 violations
- 50335 [C] - 6 violations
- 50336 [C] - 6 violations
- 50339 [C] - 6 violations
- 50340 [C] - 6 violations
- 50359 [C] - 6 violations
- 50360 [C] - 6 violations
- 50361 [C] - 6 violations
- 50362 [C] - 6 violations
- 50363 [C] - 6 violations
- 50364 [C] - 6 violations
- 50367 [C] - 6 violations
- 50368 [C] - 6 violations
- 50369 [C] - 6 violations
- 50380 [C] - 6 violations
- 50381 [C] - 6 violations
- 50391 [C] - 6 violations
- 50392 [C] - 6 violations
- 50393 [C] - 6 violations
- 50394 [C] - 6 violations
- 50395 [C] - 6 violations
- 50396 [C] - 6 violations
- 50397 [C] - 6 violations
- 50936 [C] - 6 violations
- 50940 [C] - 6 violations
- 50947 [C] - 6 violations
- 50950 [C] - 6 violations
- 50980 [C] - 6 violations
- 50981 [C] - 6 violations
- 50982 [C] - 6 violations
- 50983 [C] - 6 violations
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Des Moines, IA?
Des Moines has an average Home Safety Score of 62/100 (grade C) across 58 ZIP codes. There are 348 recorded EPA violations, 0 of which are health-based. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.
Does Des Moines have lead in the water?
The average 90th-percentile lead level across Des Moines is 0.0014 mg/L, below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. No ZIP codes currently exceed the EPA lead action level. About 75% of housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was banned.
Is Des Moines at risk for flooding?
FEMA data shows 876 flood insurance claims in Des Moines ZIP codes, with an average payout of $29,157. 4 of 58 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).
Are there lead pipes in Des Moines homes?
75% of Des Moines housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 37% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Galvanized Steel or Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 22%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.
What contaminants have been found in Des Moines water?
The most common contaminants by violation count are Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), Haloacetic Acids (HAA5). Across 58 ZIP codes, 58 have recorded EPA violations. Check your ZIP code report for the specific contaminants in your area.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
- Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
- Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Des Moines Infrastructure Age
Median build year of 1956 means many homes predate lead paint and lead solder regulations. Consider testing if your home has original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Although a small portion of Des Moines's homes predate 1986, the median build year of 1956 indicates the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed after lead solder was banned - which tends to reduce the plumbing-related component of lead exposure at the household level.
Most homes in Des Moines were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Des Moines: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Lead risk in Des Moines appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Des Moines: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Flood risk in Des Moines occupies the middle ground: 876 NFIP claims and 0% of local ZIP codes within FEMA flood zones. At that level, the risk pathways connecting flooding to water quality - treatment system stress, well infiltration, distribution backflow - become relevant considerations during significant flood events, even if day-to-day water quality is unaffected by flood history.
Des Moines has a moderate flood history with 876 FEMA claims. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones - over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Des Moines
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Des Moines, IA