Is Iowa Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Water quality data for 13 cities across Iowa. Find your city below.

Water quality in Iowa varies significantly from city to city. Across 13 cities we track, hardness ranges from 183 PPM in Ames to 296 PPM in Council Bluffs, with a statewide average of 239 PPM. 13 of 13 cities have hard water above 120 PPM where a water softener provides measurable benefits.

3 Iowa cities have forever chemicals (PFAS) above the EPA's 2024 limit of 4 parts per trillion: Dubuque (15.6 ppt), Sioux City (122.21 ppt), Davenport (17.57 ppt). A reverse osmosis system or NSF P473-certified filter can reduce PFAS to safe levels.

13
Cities
239
Avg Hardness (PPM)
296
Hardest City (PPM)

Complete Iowa Guide

Statewide water quality overview, costs, and treatment recommendations.

Well Water in Iowa

Testing, treatment, and common issues for private wells.

Hardest Water Rankings

Iowa cities ranked by water hardness level.

City Comparisons

Council Bluffs vs Ames

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Council Bluffs vs Dubuque

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Dubuque vs Cedar Rapids

Side-by-side water quality comparison.

Iowa Cities by Water Hardness

CityHardness (PPM)LevelPFAS (ppt)Source
Council Bluffs 296 Extremely Hard 0 Missouri River alluvial wells
Dubuque 295 Extremely Hard 15.6 Mississippi River & wells
Cedar Rapids 284 Extremely Hard 0 Cedar River
Marion 280 Extremely Hard 0 Cedar River & local wells
Waterloo 254 Extremely Hard 18.23 Cedar River, wells
Sioux City 245 Very Hard 122.21 Missouri River alluvial wells
Bettendorf 240 Very Hard 0 Mississippi River
Davenport 236 Very Hard 17.57 Mississippi River
Ankeny 205 Very Hard 0 Des Moines Water Works & local wells
Des Moines 200 Very Hard 0 Des Moines + Raccoon Rivers
West Des Moines 195 Very Hard 0 Raccoon River & wells
Iowa City 190 Very Hard 0 Iowa River wells
Ames 183 Very Hard 0 Skunk River wells, Ada Hayden Park

Frequently Asked Questions About Iowa Water

Is Iowa tap water safe to drink?
Iowa tap water meets EPA legal standards in most cities. 3 cities have PFAS levels above the EPA health advisory of 4 ppt. The statewide average hardness of 239 PPM means most homes deal with hard water effects like scale buildup, though hardness is not a health concern. Check your specific city above for detailed data.
Do I need a water softener in Iowa?
Most Iowa cities would benefit from a water softener. The state average is 239 PPM, and 100% of cities exceed 120 PPM where softener benefits become measurable. A salt-based softener reduces scale damage, energy waste, and product use.
Which Iowa city has the hardest water?
Council Bluffs has the hardest water in Iowa at 296 PPM (17.3 GPG). Dubuque is second at 295 PPM. See the full ranking.
What contaminants are in Iowa water?
The most common concerns across Iowa are hard water minerals (calcium and magnesium), and PFAS (forever chemicals) detected in 3 cities. Each city has different levels - check your city above for specific contaminant data.
How much does a water softener cost in Iowa?
A whole-house water softener for a typical Iowa home costs $800-$2,500 installed, depending on capacity and brand. At 239 PPM average hardness, most homes need a 32,000-48,000 grain system. Full cost breakdown.

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Guides

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Common Issues

Hard Water PFAS Lead Chlorine