Monitoring Issues SCHOOL DISTRICT

Des Moines School District Water Quality (IA) — C

58 ZIP codes · 10 water systems · 14,271,190 people served · Updated 2026-06-04

Data: EPA SDWIS, NCES Last verified: 2026-06-04

C · 62
Avg Safety Score
58
ZIP Codes
10
Water Systems
348
Violations (5yr)
0.0014 mg/L
Avg Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk

Why School Water Quality Matters

Children drink 2–4× more water per pound of body weight than adults, making them more vulnerable to contaminants. School water quality affects students for hours every weekday.

Water Quality Overview

The Des Moines School District in Iowa spans 58 ZIP codes served by 10 community water systems, providing water to approximately 14,271,190 people.

The average Home Safety Score across the district is C (62/100) — with the lowest-scoring area at 51/100 .

Water quality in this district falls in the bottom 68% nationally.

Why This Matters for Children

Children are more vulnerable to water contaminants than adults. The EPA and CDC identify these key risks:

  • Lead exposure — Even low levels of lead can affect brain development, reduce IQ, and cause behavioral problems in children. There is no safe level of lead for children.
  • PFAS ("forever chemicals") — Linked to immune system effects and developmental delays in children. Children drink more water relative to body weight than adults.
  • Nitrate — Dangerous for infants (can cause "blue baby syndrome"). Agricultural areas often have elevated nitrate.
  • Disinfection byproducts — Long-term exposure may increase cancer risk. School water fountains often have stagnant water that concentrates these compounds.

Lead Levels in the District

Metric Value EPA Threshold
Average lead level (90th percentile) 0.0014 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
Highest lead level 0.0014 mg/L 0.015 mg/L
ZIP codes exceeding EPA action level 0 of 58 —

EPA Violation History

348 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants of Concern

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based ZIPs Affected
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 116 No 58
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 58 No 58
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 58 No 58
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 58 No 58

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High risk)

58 of 58 ZIP codes are in the highest radon risk zone. Radon is the #2 cause of lung cancer in the U.S. — homes and school buildings in Zone 1 should be tested.

Water Quality by ZIP Code

ZIP Code City Safety Score Violations Health Lead Level Exceeds?
50301 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50302 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50303 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50304 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50305 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50306 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50307 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50308 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50309 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50310 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50311 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50312 Des Moines D (51) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50313 Des Moines C (56) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50314 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50315 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50316 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50317 Des Moines C (56) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50318 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50319 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50320 Des Moines C (66) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50321 Des Moines C (61) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50328 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50329 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50330 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50331 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50332 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50333 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50334 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50335 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50336 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50339 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50340 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50359 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50360 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50361 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50362 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50363 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50364 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50367 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50368 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50369 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50380 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50381 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50391 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50392 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50393 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50394 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50395 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50396 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50397 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50936 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50940 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50947 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50950 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50980 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50981 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50982 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No
50983 Des Moines C (62) 6 0 0.0014 mg/L No

What Parents Can Do

  1. Request lead testing at your child's school — The EPA's 3Ts program (Training, Testing, Taking Action) provides guidance for schools. Ask your school board about their water testing schedule.
  2. Review the Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — Your water utility publishes this annually. It details all detected contaminants.
  3. Test your home's water — Especially if your home has older plumbing (pre-1986) that may contain lead solder or lead pipes.
  4. Pack water from home — If you're concerned about school water quality, send your child with a water bottle filled at home (filtered if possible).
  5. Stay informed — Bookmark this page to check for updates on water quality in your school district.

Need help with school water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe in Des Moines School District schools?

Based on EPA data, water systems serving Des Moines School District have no health-based violations in the past 5 years. However, school buildings with older plumbing may still have localized issues. Testing at the tap (not just at the treatment plant) is important.

Does Des Moines School District test for lead in school water?

Federal law does not require schools to test for lead in drinking water (except in some states with specific mandates). The EPA's voluntary 3Ts program encourages testing. Contact your school district office to ask about their testing schedule and results.

What level of lead is safe for children?

There is no safe level of lead for children, according to the CDC. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb) triggers corrective action for water systems, but the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that school water contain no more than 0.001 mg/L (1 ppb).

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Home → School Districts → Iowa → Des Moines School District
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.