WATERLOO WATER WORKSlisted match
City water report · 2026

Is Waterloo Tap Water Safe? 2026 Water Quality Report

Short answer: PFHxS is above its federal limit (a 2024 limit that water systems have until at least 2029 to meet); lithium sits above a screening level. Waterloo Water Works serves 69,504 residents.

Listed match

WATERLOO WATER WORKS serves Waterloo

EPA lists this system for the city. Your water bill or annual water quality report names your actual supplier.

Source
Groundwater
Lead service lines
0 lead, 285 unknown

Source: EPA SDWIS 2026Q2.

What stands out

One PFAS above the 2024 federal limit

The bar is drawn in blocks of the 10 ng/L federal MCL (2024), so the length shows how far above it the result sits.

PFHxS

Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid

1.3× the limit

13ng/L

Each block = 10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)

EPA UCMR 5 · sampled 2023Evidence

Coverage by group

31 results on record
  • PFAS (forever chemicals)1 above · 3 detected · 25 not detected
  • Metals & lead1 detected
  • Disinfection by-productsNot monitored
  • Other1 above
Every detected result

6 detected results, by distance from their limit

WATERLOO WATER WORKS (EPA PWSID IA0790074) delivers groundwater to 69,504 residents. This report reflects 29 individual PFAS result(s) from the source UCMR5 observations and the latest Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile result. Water hardness and disinfectant type are pending the utility's own annual report.

25 other contaminants tested, none detected
  • 11Cl-PF3OUdS
  • 4:2 FTS
  • 6:2 FTS
  • 8:2 FTS
  • 9Cl-PF3ONS
  • ADONA
  • HFPO-DA (GenX)
  • NEtFOSAA
  • NFDHA
  • NMeFOSAA
  • PFBA
  • PFDA
  • PFDoA
  • PFEESA
  • PFHpA
  • PFHpS
  • PFMBA
  • PFMPA
  • PFNA
  • PFOA
  • PFOS
  • PFPeS
  • PFTA
  • PFTrDA
  • PFUnA
Track record

0health-based violations in the last 10 years

From EPA SDWIS. A clean violation history means no enforcement action was recorded; it does not cover contaminants without a limit.

Not in this recordDisinfection by-products weren't monitored in this dataset

No result is not a pass. Your utility's annual water quality report may list them, and a certified lab test covers your own tap.

Test your own tap

Screening tells you if something is worth a closer look; a lab result is the number you can act on.

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

  • Screening: quick check, not lab-grade

    Safe Home DIY Lead in Drinking Water Combo Test Kit

    Safe Home (EnviroTestKits)

    Lead, read as one of three ranges: 0–4, 5–15 or 15+ ppb

    • Turnaround: 5 minutes

    What it can't tell you: It shows a lead range, not an exact level, and tests nothing else unless you pay extra for the optional lab test.

  • Lab-certified results

    ETR Labs Basic Water Quality Test Kit

    ETR Laboratories

    50+ substances, including lead, copper, arsenic, nitrate, hardness and coliform bacteria

    What it can't tell you: It does not test PFAS, and not every result on the panel falls under the lab's accredited scope.

Commercial

Certified for a concern found here

Each card names which Waterloo findings its current certification covers, and which it doesn't.

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap earns from qualifying purchases. A product appears here only when a current certification record covers at least one identified concern; every concern stays listed. The retail offer is looked up afterwards and never changes which products appear or their order. Affiliate disclosure.

Under-Sink Filter

Aquasana Claryum 3-Stage Max Flow Under-Sink Filter (AQ-6300M)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Countertop System

Aquasana Clean Water Machine Countertop Filter (AQ-CWM2)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
See all 9 products certified for a Waterloo concern →
Countertop System

AquaTru Classic Countertop Reverse-Osmosis Purifier (AT2000)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Water Pitcher

Culligan ZeroWater 10-Cup Pitcher (ZEROP10)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Faucet Attachment

Faucet-Mount Filter

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Block Filter

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (4)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Reverse-Osmosis System

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Under-Sink Filter

Waterdrop G3P600 Tankless Reverse-Osmosis System

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (5)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
  • Anyone who can't plumb, drill or hire an installer
  • Renters who can't modify plumbing
Refrigerator Filter

Whirlpool Filter 3 Refrigerator Water Filter (WHR3RXD1)

  • Lead: eligible, evidence match
  • Not established: PFHxS, Lithium, Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS) and 2 more
Not suitable for (3)
  • Treating every tap in the home
  • A whole-home hard-water or scale problem
  • All PFAS: its evidence covers only the compounds it names
Questions

Frequently asked questions

Is Waterloo tap water safe to drink?

PurityMap does not give a safe/unsafe verdict; it shows what the public records measured. For Waterloo, PFHxS 13 ng/L was measured above the 10 ng/L federal limit in EPA's 2024 testing; the lead 90th-percentile result was 1.8 µg/L against the 15 µg/L action level. WATERLOO WATER WORKS (PWSID IA0790074) has a Purity Score of 70/100 (confidence: moderate), assessed at the water-system level and computed only from contaminants that were measured. Water can change in your own pipes, so a certified test is the only way to know what comes out of your tap.

Who provides tap water in Waterloo?

WATERLOO WATER WORKS (PWS ID IA0790074) is the public water system on record for Waterloo, Iowa, serving about 69,504 people. Confirm the utility on your water bill before acting on a specific finding.

Where does Waterloo get its drinking water?

Groundwater (primary source of record in EPA SDWIS).

Are PFAS "forever chemicals" in Waterloo's water?

Yes. In EPA's UCMR 5 testing (2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23), PFHxS was measured at 13 ng/L against a 10 ng/L federal limit. PFBS (3.2 ng/L, below the 2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory) and PFHxA (3.1 ng/L, below the 400,000 ng/L state limit) were also detected. PFPeA (4.8 ng/L) was also detected; it has no federal or state limit. Reverse osmosis and filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for PFOA/PFOS reduce them at the tap.

Is there lead in Waterloo's tap water?

WATERLOO WATER WORKS's most recent lead 90th-percentile result (2025) was 1.8 µg/L, below the 15 µg/L action level. That figure comes from sampled homes; lead usually enters from a building's own pipes and fixtures, so only a test at your tap tells you what you drink.

What does the latest Waterloo water report show?

PurityMap's current record for Waterloo holds 31 findings: 2 above a reference, 3 detected within the reference, 1 detected with no limit and 25 not detected. Each finding links to its dated public record; a parameter that was never monitored is shown as pending, not as a pass.

Follow this water

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Sources and dataAll 31 records and their sourcesEPA UCMR 5 · EPA SDWIS (Lead & Copper Rule)
ContaminantResultBenchmarkSampledSource
Lithium20 µg/L10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)13 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Lead (90th percentile)1.8 µg/L15 µg/L federal action level2025–2025 monitoring periodLead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)3.2 ng/L2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)3.1 ng/L400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)4.8 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
25 other PFAS tested — none detected
ContaminantResultBenchmarkSampledSource
11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)< 5 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)< 6 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)< 20 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)< 5 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)< 3 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)< 4 ng/L10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)< 4 ng/L4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)< 4 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)< 8 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)< 7 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)
Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)< 2 ng/LNo federal or state limit; shown for transparency2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)

Lithium

Result
20 µg/L
Benchmark
10 µg/L EPA health reference level (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS)

Result
13 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Lead (90th percentile)

Result
1.8 µg/L
Benchmark
15 µg/L federal action level
Sampled
2025–2025 monitoring period

Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid (PFBS)

Result
3.2 ng/L
Benchmark
2,000 ng/L EPA health advisory (screening, not a legal limit)Screening level, not a legal limit
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorohexanoic acid (PFHxA)

Result
3.1 ng/L
Benchmark
400,000 ng/L Michigan EGLE state MCL (strictest US state)
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoropentanoic acid (PFPeA)

Result
4.8 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23
25 other PFAS tested — none detected

11-Chloroeicosafluoro-3-oxaundecane-1-sulfonic acid (11Cl-PF3OUdS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorodecane sulfonic acid (8:2 FTS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorohexane sulfonic acid (4:2 FTS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

1H, 1H, 2H, 2H-perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (6:2 FTS)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

4,8-Dioxa-3H-perfluorononanoic acid (ADONA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

9-Chlorohexadecafluoro-3-oxanone-1-sulfonic acid (9Cl-PF3ONS)

Result
< 2 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Hexafluoropropylene oxide dimer acid (HFPO-DA) (GenX chemicals)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

N-ethyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NEtFOSAA)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

N-methyl perfluorooctanesulfonamidoacetic acid (NMeFOSAA)

Result
< 6 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Nonafluoro-3,6-dioxaheptanoic acid (NFDHA)

Result
< 20 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoro (2-ethoxyethane) sulfonic acid (PFEESA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoro-3-methoxypropanoic acid (PFMPA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoro-4-methoxybutanoic acid (PFMBA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)

Result
< 5 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorodecanoic acid (PFDA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoroheptanesulfonic acid (PFHpS)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoroheptanoic acid (PFHpA)

Result
< 3 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
10 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
4.0 ng/L federal MCL (2024)
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoropentanesulfonic acid (PFPeS)

Result
< 4 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTA)

Result
< 8 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluorotridecanoic acid (PFTrDA)

Result
< 7 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnA)

Result
< 2 ng/L
Benchmark
No federal or state limit; shown for transparency
Sampled
2023-02-21 to 2024-09-23

Every value is the published result from the cited public record. A reporting limit is the lowest level the method could reliably quantify; a non-detect is not a guarantee of zero.

  • UCMR5 Analytical Results

    UCMR5 Analytical Results: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)

    US EPA

    Published
    2026-01-15
    Newest sample
    2024-09-23
    Findings here
    30
  • State SDWIS Compliance Record

    Lead & Copper Rule 90th-percentile: WATERLOO WATER WORKS (IA0790074)

    US EPA SDWIS

    Published
    2026-07-09
    Newest sample
    2025
    Findings here
    1

Methodology: how we analyze water. Prepared with AI assistance and reviewed by the PurityMap Editorial Team before publication.