Water Quality: Grinnell, IA
6 water systems • 13,192 people served
Multiple Health ViolationsWater Quality Summary
Grinnell is served by 6 public water systems with a combined service population of 13,192 people, and has 102 EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. Critically, 36 of those are health-based violations, meaning one or more contaminants were detected above EPA-established safe levels — a serious public health concern. Grinnell's violation count is 544% above the national average for Iowa. Contaminants associated with violations include Disinfection Byproducts, E. coli, HAA5, Total Organic Carbon.
Contaminants Found
Broad category of chemicals formed during disinfection, associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive effects.
Common source: Reaction of disinfectants (chlorine, ozone, chloramines) with organic matter
Causes gastrointestinal illness; certain strains (e.g., O157:H7) can cause severe kidney failure and death.
Common source: Fecal contamination from humans or animals entering the water supply
EPA limit: Zero (no E. coli permitted in drinking water)
Haloacetic acids are associated with increased cancer risk and potential reproductive and developmental effects.
Common source: Reaction of chlorine disinfectants with organic matter in treated water
EPA limit: 0.060 mg/L (60 ppb)
Not a direct health risk but reacts with disinfectants to form carcinogenic byproducts such as trihalomethanes.
Common source: Decaying plant material, algae, soil organic matter in source water
EPA limit: Treatment technique (must reduce TOC based on source water level)
Water Systems Serving Grinnell
| System Name | PWSID | Source | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GRINNELL WATER DEPARTMENT | IA7930008 | Groundwater | 9,564 | 42 |
| LAKE RIDGE, INCORPORATED | IA5225315 | Groundwater | 1,300 | 18 |
| MODERN MANOR, INC | IA5225601 | Groundwater | 915 | 13 |
| WESTERN HILLS (MOBILE) ESTATES | IA5208600 | Groundwater | 760 | 5 |
| SUNRISE VILLAGE MOBILE HOME PK | IA5200602 | Groundwater | 340 | 16 |
| GRINNELL MHP MHC | IA7930601 | Groundwater | 313 | 8 |
Concerned About Your Water?
A home water filter can remove common contaminants. NSF-certified filters are tested against EPA standards.
Consider a reverse osmosis system for comprehensive filtration or a carbon filter for basic improvement.
Other Cities in Iowa
Data Sources
Drinking water violation data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). Data includes all recorded violations for active community water systems.