Des Moines Water Works
EPA ID: IA7727031 · 246,055 people served · 42 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Des Moines Water Works (IA7727031): no EPA violations recorded in the last five years. EPA monitoring data for Des Moines Water Works shows an unblemished five-year compliance history - no violations of any kind have been recorded for this utility, which supplies water to approximately 246,055 people, covering every reporting cycle without a single MCL exceedance or monitoring lapse.
Data: EPA SDWIS
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.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Iowa
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 42 ZIP codes across 28 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: C (67/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 19 of 42 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
This system serves 42 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 50309 · 50310 · 50311 · 50312 · 50313 50314 · 50315 · 50316 · 50317 · 50319 50320 · 50321 · 50322 · 50323 · 50324 50325 · 50327
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?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Des Moines Water Works in the inclusive 2021-2026 record-year window. This is a compliance-record finding, not a guarantee about water at a specific tap.
How many people does Des Moines Water Works serve?
Des Moines Water Works serves approximately 246,055 people across 42 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 →
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
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Des Moines Water Works, IA: Serves 246K People. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ia7727031/
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title = {{Des Moines Water Works, IA: Serves 246K People}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ia7727031/}
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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.