Copper in Iowa City, IA Drinking Water
Copper data for Iowa City, Iowa · 98,352 residents · 6 ZIP codes
Federal water monitoring extends to thousands of public water systems, and in Iowa City, Iowa, that tracking has turned up Copper — the detection is logged in the EPA compliance record and reflects samples collected under routine Safe Drinking Water Act reporting requirements.
Data: EPA SDWIS, CCR Reports, ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-14
Copper in Iowa City Tap Water
Copper has been detected in Iowa City, Iowa drinking water at a maximum level of 4200 ppb — 3.23x the EPA action level.
This analysis covers 98,352 residents across 6 ZIP codes in Iowa City.
Iowa City's overall water quality grade is D (49/100).
Is Copper in Iowa City Water Safe?
If you live in an affected ZIP code, consider installing a reverse osmosis or nsf 53 carbon block filter certified under NSF 53 and testing your water independently.
Copper Levels by ZIP Code
| ZIP Code | Copper Level | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52240 | 4200 ppb | 1.3 mg/L (action level) | Exceeds limit |
| 52242 | 4200 ppb | 1.3 mg/L (action level) | Exceeds limit |
| 52243 | 4200 ppb | 1.3 mg/L (action level) | Exceeds limit |
| 52244 | 4200 ppb | 1.3 mg/L (action level) | Exceeds limit |
| 52245 | 4200 ppb | 1.3 mg/L (action level) | Exceeds limit |
| 52246 | 4200 ppb | 1.3 mg/L (action level) | Exceeds limit |
Average copper level across Iowa City: 4200 ppb
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 Iowa City 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.