What was found in Washington's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 200 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 3100 µg/L — LINN HOLLOW MHP LLC · 68 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 900 µg/L 23% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Highest in the city: LINN HOLLOW MHP LLC · 68 people · 2013 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 419.5 µg/L 32% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 2/2 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 38 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2024 | 1/2 | UCMR-5 |
| Barium | 32 µg/L 1.6% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Highest in the city: LINN HOLLOW MHP LLC · 68 people · 2013 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 19 µg/L 127% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 µg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 17.365 pCi/L 116% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 pCi/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2016 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 10.82 µg/L 14% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Xylenes, Total | 7.22 µg/L 0.1% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 4.965 pCi/L 99% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 3.94 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 3.095 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 3 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 2.31 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 2.08 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2019 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Ethylbenzene | 1.8 µg/L 0.3% of the EPA limit 700 µg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2017 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 1 µg/L 2% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Highest in the city: LINN HOLLOW MHP LLC · 68 people · 2013 | 1/2 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0 mg/L 0% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT · 7,362 people · 2023
Highest in the city: 0.0052 mg/L — LINN HOLLOW MHP LLC · 68 people · 2024 | 2/2 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Washington
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| WASHINGTON WATER DEPARTMENT | 7,362 |
| LINN HOLLOW MHP LLC | 68 |
Frequently asked questions about Washington tap water
Is Washington tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 18 contaminants in the water serving Washington. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Washington?
2 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Washington, Iowa to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Washington's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Washington include Nitrate, Fluoride, Copper, Lithium, Barium. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.