Des Moines, IA: 348 Violations — 62/100 (2026)
58 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
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.
How Des Moines Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Des Moines, IA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Safety grade breakdown for Des Moines's 58 ZIP codes.
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.
- Estimated remediation: $1,503 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.97.
Des Moines's Water Providers
3 independent water providers serve Des Moines, IA — 10 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
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. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Des Moines: C (62/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Des Moines water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 118 | 58 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 59 | 58 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 59 | 58 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 59 | 58 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50301 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50302 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50303 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50304 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50305 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50306 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50307 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50308 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50309 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
| 50310 | C | 6 | 0 | Des Moines Water Works |
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
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Des Moines Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Des Moines's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Des Moines
In Des Moines, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands — the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Des Moines are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,007–$1,953 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 26% above the Iowa average.
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 19% 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 averaging $27,198 per payout. 19% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,503</strong> remediation cost per household.
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. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Des Moines's water.
- 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