Is West Des Moines, IA Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, West Des Moines tap water is safe to drink. No contaminants exceed health guidelines. However, West Des Moines has very hard water at 195 PPM, which will cause scale buildup in plumbing and appliances over time. A water softener is worth considering.
Hardness Scale: Where West Des Moines Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How West Des Moines Compares
West Des Moines's water is 41% harder than the national average of 138 PPM. It ranks #334 out of 1000 cities in our database (harder than 67% of US cities we track). Within Iowa, it ranks #11 of 13 cities (18% below the state average of 239 PPM). Among cities (50k-100k), West Des Moines ranks #103 of 258 for hardness. At this hardness level, water heaters run an estimated 36% less efficiently due to scale insulation, and major water-using appliances typically last 3 years less than the national average lifespan.
What West Des Moines's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 195 PPM - Treatment Recommended
West Des Moines has some seriously hard water. At 195 PPM (11.4 grains per gallon), your tap is loaded with mineral content carried in from the watershed geology. Here's the thing: it's perfectly safe to drink. The minerals won't hurt you. But they will hurt your wallet. That adds up. Hard water at 195 PPM increases household costs through scale-coated water heaters that use more energy, extra soap and detergent, and appliances that wear out faster. Most West Des Moines homeowners don't realize it until the plumber shows up. That's 18% softer than the Iowa average.
Contaminants & Safety
Disinfection byproducts are the notable finding here. West Des Moines's water has TTHMs at 39.1 ppb and HAA5 at 2.89 ppb — both within legal limits, but the EWG health guidelines are far stricter. These byproducts form when chlorine reacts with organic matter during treatment. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and its byproducts. Want the full picture? Request your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report.
What's in the Treatment Process
West Des Moines's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 39.1 ppb (49% of the legal limit, but 261x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 2.89 ppb (5% of the legal limit, but 29x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.867 ppb, which is 43x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
How Hard Water Affects Your Home
At 195 PPM, untreated hard water has measurable effects on household costs and appliance life:
- Water heater inefficiency: Scale insulation forces the heater to work harder (DOE estimates up to 22% more energy for heavily scaled units)
- Soap and detergent: Hard water reduces lathering, requiring significantly more product
- Appliance replacement: Water heaters, dishwashers, and washing machines fail 2-4 years earlier due to scale buildup
- Plumbing maintenance: Scale buildup in pipes reduces flow and requires more frequent service
Note: Impact varies by household size, water usage, and local energy costs. A home water test provides the most accurate assessment for your specific situation.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 195 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ⚠ Very Hard |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 307 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ⚠ Elevated |
| PFAS (total) | 0 ppt | — | No total limit | ✓ ND |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 1 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ✓ Low |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.7 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.613 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for West Des Moines Homes
Our Top Picks for West Des Moines (195 PPM)
Hard water at 195 PPM causes scale buildup, increased energy use, and premature appliance failure. A softener protects your plumbing and appliances.
How to Test Your Water in West Des Moines
With 195 PPM hardness, a quick test strip confirms whether your specific tap matches West Des Moines's average before you invest in a softener. Hardness can vary within the same system.
Free option: Request West Des Moines Water Works's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About West Des Moines's Water Supply
Water Utility: West Des Moines Water Works
Water Source: Raccoon River & wells (Surface Water)
Population Served: 68,723
Hardness: 195 PPM (11.4 grains per gallon)
West Des Moines's drinking water comes from surface sources — Raccoon River & wells. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. Despite the treatment process, mineral hardness from the watershed carries through. The system serves 69,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request West Des Moines Water Works's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by West Des Moines Water Works in West Des Moines, IA, including ZIP codes:
50002, 50003, 50008, 50020, 50026, 50029, 50033, 50038, 50048, 50049, 50052, 50058, 50060, 50061, 50063, 50065, 50066, 50067, 50068, 50069, 50070, 50072, 50074, 50076, 50103, 50108, 50115, 50123, 50125, 50128, 50133, 50139, 50140, 50144, 50145, 50146, 50147, 50149, 50151, 50155, 50160, 50164, 50165, 50166, 50167, 50174, 50210, 50211, 50213, 50216, 50218, 50220, 50222, 50229, 50233, 50238, 50240, 50241, 50250, 50254, 50257, 50261, 50262, 50263, 50264, 50265, 50266, 50272, 50273, 50275, 50277, 50322, 50323, 50324, 50325, 50398, 50801, 50830, 50831, 50835, 50836, 50837, 50840, 50842, 50845, 50846, 50849, 50851, 50854, 50858, 50859, 50860, 50861, 50863, 51440, 51444, 51463, 52544, 52549, 52555, 52574, 52581, 52583, 52590, 63551, 63560, 63565, 63567, 64420, 64426, 64441, 64442, 64456, 64458, 64467, 64481, 64632, 64645, 64655, 64661, 64667, 64672, 64673
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Water Softener Sizing for West Des Moines
At 195 PPM (11.4 GPG), here is how to size a softener for your West Des Moines home. Multiply hardness in GPG (11.4) by daily water usage (roughly 50 gallons per person). A family of four uses about 200 gallons/day: 11.4 GPG × 200 gal = 2280 grains/day. Over a 7-day regeneration cycle, that is 15,960 grains - a 32,000-grain softener is the right fit for most West Des Moines households.
Compare West Des Moines to Other Iowa Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About West Des Moines Water
Is West Des Moines tap water safe to drink?
Where does West Des Moines's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in West Des Moines?
Does West Des Moines water damage tankless water heaters?
How much does hard water cost a West Des Moines household per year?
What is the hardness of West Des Moines water in grains per gallon?
What size water softener do I need for West Des Moines?
Salt-based softener or salt-free conditioner for West Des Moines?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What West Des Moines Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 195 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on West Des Moines's water data.