Des Moines Water Works
EPA ID: IA7727031 · 246,055 people served · 88 ZIP codes
Des Moines Water Works's current EPA file includes 2 unresolved violations — every outstanding finding is documented in federal records for this utility, which supplies water to approximately 246,055 residents across its service territory.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 5 (2022) to 1 (2025). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Des Moines Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Des Moines Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $92,667 and an estimated 617,191 residents across its service area. Approximately 53% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Des Moines Water Works's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.
About 1% of homes in Polk County, Iowa rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 65th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Des Moines Water Works compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Contaminant 1003 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Lead and Copper Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.
System Overview
Des Moines Water Works (EPA ID: IA7727031) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 246,055 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 88 ZIP codes across 28 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Copper | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Copper | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1003 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1003 | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 1003 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50061 | 0.01 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50161 | 0.004 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50046 | 0.002 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50073 | 0.0016 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50168 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50301 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50302 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50303 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50304 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50305 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50306 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50307 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50308 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50309 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50310 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50311 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50312 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50313 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50314 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 50315 | 0.0014 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 42 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 46 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
This system serves 88 ZIP codes:
50007 · 50009 · 50021 · 50023 · 50035 50046 · 50047 · 50061 · 50073 · 50109 50124 · 50125 · 50131 · 50156 · 50161 50168 · 50169 · 50211 · 50226 · 50237 50244 · 50261 · 50263 · 50265 · 50266 50301 · 50302 · 50303 · 50304 · 50305 50306 · 50307 · 50308 · 50309 · 50310 50311 · 50312 · 50313 · 50314 · 50315 50316 · 50317 · 50318 · 50319 · 50320 50321 · 50322 · 50323 · 50324 · 50325 50327 · 50328 · 50329 · 50330 · 50331 50332 · 50333 · 50334 · 50335 · 50336 50339 · 50340 · 50359 · 50360 · 50361 50362 · 50363 · 50364 · 50367 · 50368 50369 · 50380 · 50381 · 50391 · 50392 50393 · 50394 · 50395 · 50396 · 50397 50936 · 50940 · 50947 · 50950 · 50980 50981 · 50982 · 50983
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Des Moines Water Works (IA7727031) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines Water Works water safe to drink?
Des Moines Water Works has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.
How many people does Des Moines Water Works serve?
Des Moines Water Works serves approximately 246,055 people across 88 ZIP codes in Iowa.
Where does Des Moines Water Works get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Des Moines Water Works (EPA ID: IA7727031) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.