Copper in Des Moines, IA Drinking Water
Copper data for Des Moines, Iowa · 220,294 residents · 12 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of Copper in Des Moines, Iowa: Copper carries a moderate health-risk designation.
Not every city shows Copper in its water data; in Des Moines, Iowa, federal sampling has confirmed its presence at detectable levels in at least one recent reporting cycle.
Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO
Copper in Des Moines Tap Water
Copper appears in Des Moines, Iowa records only as an action-level exceedance on record. The EPA logs copper under the CU90 code only at or above the 1.3 mg/L action level and transmits no verified copper concentration. 1 ZIP code in Des Moines carries a copper action-level exceedance on record. A ZIP with no copper record has not been shown to be clean: absence means no exceedance was reported, not that copper is safe.
This analysis covers 220,294 residents across 12 ZIP codes in Des Moines.
Is Copper in Des Moines Water Safe?
If a ZIP in Des Moines carries a copper exceedance on record, consider installing a reverse osmosis or nsf 53 carbon block filter certified under NSF 53 and testing your water independently.
Health Effects of Copper
- Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea (short-term, high levels)
- Liver and kidney damage (long-term)
- Particularly dangerous for people with Wilson's disease
- Infants are more sensitive than adults
Health risk severity: Moderate. Governed by the Lead and Copper Rule.
How Copper Gets Into Drinking Water
- Corrosion of copper household plumbing
- Acidic (low pH) water accelerates copper leaching
- New copper pipes leach more than aged ones
- Mining and industrial discharge (rare for tap water)
What to Do About Copper in Des Moines Water
- Run water for 30-60 seconds before use (flushes stagnant water)
- Install an NSF 53 or NSF 58 certified filter
- If pH is low, consider a whole-home acid neutralizer
- Test first-draw morning water to check actual copper levels
Look for filters certified under NSF 53 for copper removal.