WaterQ
Iowa State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Ames tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
B

Mostly yes — Ames scores 87/100.

Safety Score
87
out of 100

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Ames

Iowa

View Iowa state report Data updated: Mar 2026

Is Ames tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Ames scores 87/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 0 local systems in Ames. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:30 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Ames.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Ames?

Requirement Status
Optional
🟢
💡

Expert Advice

Your water quality is excellent. Standard filtration is optional but can further enhance taste.

Buying a Filter?

Filter or no filter for Ames water? Here's what the data says.

Baby Formula Safety

What new parents in Ames should know about tap water safety.

Homebuyer's Perspective

Water quality is easy to overlook when evaluating a move to Ames, but it can affect plumbing longevity and appliance lifespan. The high safety score (87/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Current records show no major contaminant spikes, making Ames a preferred choice for health-conscious families.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Compliance Record for Ames

0
Violations (5yr)
0
Unresolved
0
Contaminants Tracked
0
Exceeding EPA Limit

Based on EPA SDWIS violation records and contaminant test results for all water systems serving Ames.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Ames tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Ames scores 87/100.

How many water systems serve Ames?

Ames is served by 0 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Ames?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Ames.

What is the water quality score for Ames?

The water quality score for Ames is 87 out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Ames?

Current contaminant data for Ames is being updated. Check back soon or search your specific address for the latest results.

Water Quality Score
87/100
Grade
B
Water Systems
2
Population
97,177

Ames Water Quality Summary

Ames, IA receives a water quality score of 87/100 (Grade B) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 2 public water systems serving the area.

Ames's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.

Ames's score of 87 is 14 points above the Iowa state average of 73, and above the nationwide average of roughly 78/100 across all U.S. states.

For residents of Ames, Iowa, the mid-size city's local water systems deliver a solid quality of tap water that performs well overall. However, because this Midwestern municipality is situated in a region defined by intensive row-crop and livestock agriculture, the local groundwater is nitrate-prone. For prospective homebuyers, this regional setting highlights the importance of monitoring agricultural runoff, even though the current municipal supply remains highly reliable.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology → Read our Iowa water quality rankings report →

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Water Systems Serving Ames (0)

Water system data coming soon for Ames.

Related

Compare Ames water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality