WaterQ
Iowa State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Des Moines tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
B

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 76/100.

Safety Score
76
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Des Moines?

Read Decision Guide →

Des Moines

Iowa

View Iowa state report Verified: Apr 2026

Is Des Moines tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 76/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 2 local systems in Des Moines. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Des Moines?

Requirement Status
Recommended
🟡
💡

Expert Advice

Given the safety margin, a Carbon Block or sediment filter is recommended to improve taste and remove trace particulates.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Des Moines? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Des Moines tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Des Moines, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. With a score of 76/100, we recommend budgeting for high-quality point-of-entry filtration systems to protect your home's value.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Lead levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Score Breakdown for Des Moines

EPA Compliance & Violations 85/100
Contaminant Safety Margin 76%

*Scores are calculated using weighted EPA monitoring data from the past 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Des Moines tap water safe to drink?

Generally acceptable, but review local hotspots — score 76/100.

How many water systems serve Des Moines?

Des Moines is served by 2 public water systems in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

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

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

What is the water quality score for Des Moines?

The water quality score for Des Moines is N/A out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Des Moines?

The top contaminants detected in Des Moines include Lead, Fluoride, Atrazine. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
76/100
Grade
B
Water Systems
2
Population
253,620

Des Moines Water Quality Summary

Des Moines, IA receives a water quality score of 76/100 (Grade B) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 2 public water systems serving the area.

Des Moines's water quality is near the national average. While most systems meet EPA standards, some violations have been recorded. Residents may wish to review their specific water system's report for contaminant details.

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

Key Contaminants

Lead Violation
21.0564 / 15 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 15 μg/L
Fluoride
3.7422 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Atrazine
2.6602 / 3 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 3 μg/L
Chromium (Total)
83.726 / 100 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 100 μg/L
PFOS (Perfluorooctane Sulfonate)
0.0027 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Nitrite
0.6027 / 1 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 1 mg/L
Benzene
2.7337 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L
Chloramine
1.73 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L

Water Systems Serving Des Moines (2)

Related

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