Water Quality in Des Moines, IA: 2 Violations Recorded for Mapped Water Systems
8 water systems · 12 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report 2 violations across 12 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Des Moines. This is compliance evidence, not a property-level tap-water verdict.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Des Moines
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50317 | 2 | 1 | View report → |
| 50309 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50310 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50311 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50312 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50313 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50314 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50315 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50316 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50319 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50320 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
| 50321 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Des Moines, Iowa has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 12 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report 2 violations, including 1 health-based violation across 12 directly mapped ZIP records with reported counts.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Des Moines is reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit); the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 12 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 75% of homes built before 1986, Des Moines has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Des Moines
Des Moines is served by 8 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 220,294 people live in the area (58 ZIP codes, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
EPA records list enforcement actions against water systems serving Des Moines. Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
How to Check Your Water in Des Moines
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Contaminants Detected in Des Moines Water Systems
The following contaminants have been detected or caused violations across Des Moines's water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | MCL | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha (excl. radon and uranium) | Radionuclides | 15 pCi/L | 2 | 1 | Yes |
The standard column shows the EPA Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) except for lead and copper, whose value is an action level that triggers corrective steps and is not an MCL. Health-based violations are MCL, MRDL and treatment-technique violations.
EPA Enforcement History
The EPA and state regulators have taken enforcement actions against water systems serving Des Moines. Recent actions:
| Date | Action Type |
|---|---|
| 2026-03-04 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2026-03-04 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2026-01-15 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-12-18 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2025-12-18 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-06-19 | State Informal Action |
| 2025-05-29 | State Filed Judgment |
| 2025-05-29 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-02-26 | State Informal Enforcement |
| 2024-02-26 | State Filed Judgment |
Enforcement actions range from informal compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties. The most recent action was on 2026-03-04.
Des Moines vs. Nearby Iowa Cities
How Des Moines's water quality compares to similar cities in Iowa:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines | 12 | 2 | 8 | 220,294 |
| Cedar Rapids | 6 | 32 | 10 | 145,119 |
| Davenport | 6 | 1 | 4 | 103,543 |
| Sioux City | 7 | 2 | 2 | 89,537 |
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Des Moines
EPA coverage and recorded violations can differ across Des Moines's ZIP codes. Missing counts are shown as unavailable, not zero:
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 50317 | 2 | 1 |
| 50309 | 0 | 0 |
| 50310 | 0 | 0 |
| 50311 | 0 | 0 |
| 50312 | 0 | 0 |
| 50313 | 0 | 0 |
| 50314 | 0 | 0 |
| 50315 | 0 | 0 |
| 50316 | 0 | 0 |
| 50319 | 0 | 0 |
| 50320 | 0 | 0 |
| 50321 | 0 | 0 |
Common Questions About Des Moines Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Des Moines, Iowa:
Is Des Moines water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Des Moines's 8 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Des Moines tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. The measured subset contains 1 health-based violation; check the affected utility record and consider certified testing.
What is the best water filter for Des Moines? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Des Moines vs. Iowa Average
Understanding how Des Moines compares to the broader Iowa average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Des Moines.
ZIP Codes in Des Moines
Des Moines spans 58 ZIP codes. EPA water-system coverage is available for 12 directly mapped ZIP codes. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.