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Is Cedar Rapids Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Yes! Generally Safe to Drink*

LAST UPDATED: 7:47 pm, July 24, 2022
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Table of Contents

Can You Drink Tap Water in Cedar Rapids?

Yes, Cedar Rapids's tap water is generally considered safe to drink as Cedar Rapids has no active health based violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) that we are aware of. Other factors such as lead piping in a home, or low levels of pollutants on immunocompromised individuals, should also be considered, however. To find more recent info we might have, you can check out our boil water notice page or the city's water provider website.

According the EPA’s ECHO database, from April 30, 2019 to June 30, 2022, Cedar Rapids's water utility, Cedar Rapids Water Department, had 0 violations of the Safe Drinking Water Act. For more details on the violations, please see our violation history section below. The last violation for Cedar Rapids was resolved on Sept. 30, 2017. This assessment is based on the Cedar Rapids Water Department water system, other water systems in the city may have different results.

While tap water that meets the EPA health guidelines generally won’t make you sick to your stomach, it can still contain regulated and unregulated contaminants present in trace amounts that could potentially cause health issues over the long-run. These trace contaminants may also impact immunocompromised and vulnerable individuals.

The EPA is reviewing if it’s current regulations around pollutant levels in tap water are strict enough, and the health dangers posed by unregulated pollutants, like PFAS.

Water Quality Report for Cedar Rapids Tap Water

The most recent publicly available numbers for measured contaminant levels in Cedar Rapids tap water are in its 2020 Water Quality Report. As you can see, there are levels which the EPA considers to be acceptable, but being below the maximum allowable level doesn’t necessarily mean the water is healthy.

Lead in tap water, for example, is currently allowed at up to 15ppb by the EPA, but it has set the ideal goal for lead at zero. This highlights how meeting EPA standards doesn’t necessarily mean local tap water is healthy.

EPA regulations continue to change as it evaluates the long term impacts of chemicals and updates drinking water acceptable levels. The rules around arsenic, as well as, lead and copper are currently being re-evaluated.

There are also a number of "emerging" contaminants that are not currently. For example, PFAS (Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), for which the EPA has issued a health advisory. PFAS are called "forever chemicals" since they tend not to break down in the environment or the human body and can accumulate over time.

We recommend looking at the contaminants present in Cedar Rapids's water quality reports, or getting your home's tap water tested to see if you should be filtering your water.

Cedar Rapids Tap Water Safe Drinking Water Act Violation History - Prior 10 Years

Below is a ten year history of violations for the water system named Cedar Rapids Water Department for Cedar Rapids in Iowa. For more details please see the "What do these Violations Mean?" section below.

From Sept. 1, 2017 to Sept. 30, 2017, Cedar Rapids had 1 non-health based Safe Drinking Water Act violation with the violation category being Monitoring Violation, more specifically, the violation code was Monitoring, Routine (RTCR) which falls into the Microbials rule code group, and the Total Coliform Rules rule code family for the following contaminant code: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Is there Lead in Cedar Rapids Water?

Based on the EPA’s ECHO Database, 90% of the samples taken from the Cedar Rapids water system, Cedar Rapids Water Department, between sample start date and sample end date, were at or below, 0.00191 mg/L of lead in Cedar Rapids water. This is 12.7% of the 0.015 mg/L action level. This means 10% of the samples taken from Cedar Rapids contained more lead.

While Cedar Rapids water testing may have found 0.00191 mg/L of lead in its water, that does not mean your water source has the same amount. The amount of lead in water in a city can vary greatly from neighborhood to neighborhood, or even building to building. Many buildings, particularly older ones, have lead pipes or service lines which can be a source of contamination. To find out if your home has lead, we recommend getting you water tested.

No amount of lead in water is healthy, only less dangerous. As lead accumulates in our bodies over time, even exposure to relatively small amounts can have negative health effects. For more information, please check out our Lead FAQ page.

Are there PFAS in Cedar Rapids Tap Water?

Currently, testing tap water for PFAS isn’t mandated on a national level. We do have a list of military bases where there have been suspected or confirmed leaks. There appears to be no military bases near Cedar Rapids with suspected leaks.

With many potential sources of PFAS in tap water across the US, the best information we currently have about which cities have PFAS in their water is this ewg map, which you can check to see if Cedar Rapids has been evaluated for yet.

Our stance is better safe than sorry, and that it makes sense to try to purify the tap water just in case.

Cedar Rapids SDWA Violation History Table - Prior 10 Years

Compliance Period Status Health-Based? Category Code Code Rule Code Contaminant Code Rule Group Code Rule Family Code
09/01/2017 - 09/30/2017 Resolved No Monitoring Violation (MON) Monitoring, Routine (RTCR) (3A) Revised Total Coliform Rule (111) Revised Total Coliform Rule (8000) Microbials (100) Total Coliform Rules (110)

What do these Violations Mean?

Safe Drinking Water Act Violations categories split into two groups, health based, and non-health based. Generally, health based violations are more serious, though non-health based violations can also be cause for concern.

Health Based Violations

  1. Maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) - maximum allowed contaminant level was exceeded.
  2. Maximum residual disinfectant levels (MRDLs) - maximum allowed disinfectant level was exceeded.
  3. Other violations (Other) - the exact required process to reduce the amounts of contaminants in drinking water was not followed.

Non-Health Based Violations

  1. Monitoring and reporting violations (MR, MON) - failure to conduct the required regular monitoring of drinking water quality, and/or to submit monitoring results on time.
  2. Public notice violations (Other) - failure to immediately alert consumers if there is a serious problem with their drinking water that may pose a risk to public health.
  3. Other violations (Other) - miscellaneous violations, such as failure to issue annual consumer confidence reports or maintain required records.

SDWA Table Key

Field Description
Compliance Period Dates of the compliance period.
Status Current status of the violation.
  • Resolved - The violation has at least one resolving enforcement action. In SDWIS, this indicates that either the system has returned to compliance from the violation, the rule that was violated was no longer applicable, or no further action was needed.
  • Archived - The violation is not Resolved, but is more than five years past its compliance period end date. In keeping with the Enforcement Response Policy, the violation no longer contributes to the public water system's overall compliance status. Unresolved violations are also marked as Archived when a system ceases operations (becomes inactive).
  • Addressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and is addressed by one or more formal enforcement actions.
  • Unaddressed - The violation is not Resolved or Archived, and has not been addressed by formal enforcement.
show details
Health-Based? Whether the violation is health based.
Category Code
The category of violation that is reported.
  • TT - Treatment Technique Violation
  • MRDL - Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level
  • Other - Other Violation
  • MCL - Maximum Contaminant Level Violation
  • MR - Monitoring and Reporting
  • MON - Monitoring Violation
  • RPT - Reporting Violation
show details
Code A full description of violation codes can be accessed in the SDWA_REF_CODE_VALUES (CSV) table.
Contaminant Code A code value that represents a contaminant for which a public water system has incurred a violation of a primary drinking water regulation.
Rule Code Code for a National Drinking Water rule.
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rule
  • 121 - Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 122 - Long Term 1 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 123 - Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Ground Water Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 331 - Nitrates
  • 332 - Arsenic
  • 333 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 111 - Revised Total Coliform Rule
show details
Rule Group Code Code that uniquely identifies a rule group.
  • 120 - Surface Water Treatment Rules
  • 130 - Filter Backwash Rule
  • 140 - Groundwater Rule
  • 210 - Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 220 - Stage 2 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 230 - Total Trihalomethanes
  • 310 - Volatile Organic Chemicals
  • 320 - Synthetic Organic Chemicals
  • 330 - Inorganic Chemicals
  • 340 - Radionuclides
  • 350 - Lead and Copper Rule
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
  • 110 - Total Coliform Rules
  • 410 - Public Notice Rule
  • 420 - Consumer Confidence Rule
  • 430 - Miscellaneous
show details
Rule Family Code Code for rule family.
  • 100 - Microbials
  • 200 - Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
  • 300 - Chemicals
  • 400 - Other
  • 500 - Not Regulated
show details

For more clarification please visit the EPA's data dictionary.

Cedar Rapids Water - Frequently Asked Questions

IS THERE PFAS IN MY DRINKING WATER?
In 2013 we sampled for six PFAS compounds with no PFAS detected. In July 2020, we sampled for 18 PFAS compounds and had lower than reportable results. Currently, there are no formal standards for these compounds. Demonstrating our commitment to high water quality standards, the CRWD will partner with Iowa DNR on a yearlong PFAS study later in 2021. The study will help determine what role, if any, PFAS plays within our water supply. Locations where the compounds were manufactured, or air fields adjacent to streams where a significant amount of fire-fighting foam may have been used, appear to be the most likely sites of concern for these compounds. Neither of these cases present a concern for our source water at this time. Fluoride is added during the treatment process to help prevent dental cavities. The optimal concentration is maintained at 0.7 parts per million (ppm) with a range of 0.6-0.9 ppm as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
WHAT IS THE FLUORIDE CONCENTRATION AND WHY IS IT ADDED?
Fluoride is added during the treatment process to help prevent dental cavities. The optimal concentration is maintained at 0.7 parts per million (ppm) with a range of 0.6-0.9 ppm as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT IF MY WATER IS SHUT OFF DUE TO A WATER MAIN BREAK?
Water main breaks are often indicated by a lack of water at the tap or water bubbling to the surface of neighborhood streets. This may prompt a water service disruption to your home or business.
HOW DO I CONTACT CEDAR RAPIDS CUSTOMER SERVICE?
To contact customer service for the Cedar Rapids water provider, Cedar Rapids Water Department, please use the information below.
By Mail: ATTN CHRISTINE KNAPP WT MANAGER
761 J AVE NE
CEDAR RAPIDS, IA, 52402
HOW TO PAY BILL FOR CEDAR RAPIDS WATER DEPARTMENT
Already have an account?

Existing customers can login to their Cedar Rapids Water Department account to pay their Cedar Rapids water bill by clicking here.

Want to create a new account?

If you want to pay your Cedar Rapids Water Department bill online and haven't made an account yet, you can create an account online. Please click here to create your account to pay your Cedar Rapids water bill.

Want to pay without an account?

If you don't want to make an account, or can't remember your account, you can make a one-time payment towards your Cedar Rapids water bill without creating an account using a one time payment portal with your account number and credit or debit card. Click here to make a one time payment.

HOW TO START & STOP CEDAR RAPIDS WATER SERVICE
Starting Your Service

Moving to a new house or apartment in Cedar Rapids means you will often need to put the water in your name with Cedar Rapids Water Department. In order to put the water in your name, please click the link to the start service form below. Start service requests for water bills typically take two business days.

Start Service Form

Want to create a new account?

Leaving your house or apartment in Cedar Rapids means you will likely need to take your name off of the water bill with Cedar Rapids Water Department. In order to take your name off the water bill, please click the link to the stop service form below. Stop service for water bills requests typically take two business days.

Stop Service Form

The estimated price of bottled water

$2.17 in USD (1.5-liter)

USER SUBMITTED RATINGS

Cedar Rapids tap water
  • Drinking Water Pollution and Inaccessibility 30% Low
  • Water Pollution 36% Low
  • Drinking Water Quality and Accessibility 100% Very High
  • Water Quality 100% Very High

The above data is comprised of subjective, user submitted opinions about the water quality and pollution in Cedar Rapids, measured on a scale from 0% (lowest) to 100% (highest).

Related FAQS

Cedar Rapids Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report)

The EPA mandates that towns and cities consistently monitor and test their tap water. They must report their findings in an annual Consumer Confidence Report. Below is the most recent water quality report from Cedar Rapids's Water. If you would like to see the original version of the report, please click here.

2020

Water

Report

Quality

Serving the City of Cedar Rapids, the City of Robins, the Glenbrook Cove Subdivision of Marion and the Poweshiek Water Association.

Meet the New Utilities Director

Roy Hesemann became the Utilities Director in January 2021. He has been a City of Cedar Rapids employee for more than 21 years, and boasts a career spanning over 35 years of engineering, management and education work in the water and wastewater treatment sectors.

In his time with the City, Hesemann has served as the Water Pollution Control Plant Manager, Water Utility Plant Manager and Project Engineer. He was filling in as Interim Water Utility Plant Manager for the Utilities Department prior to his appointment as Utilities Director.

“Roy demonstrates strong leadership and management abilities, a comprehensive understanding of the evolving needs of our Utilities Department, dedication to innovation

and sustainability, and commitment to our employees and organizational health program,” said City Manager Jeff Pomeranz, upon Hesemann’s appointment as Utilities Director.

“Whether you live, work, or play in Cedar Rapids, the City’s Utilities Department touches your experience,” said Hesemann. “From providing some of Iowa’s best-tasting water to drink; to treating residential and industrial wastewater; to providing garbage, recycling and yard waste collection — the Cedar Rapids Utilities Department plays an essential role in meeting the community’s daily needs. I am looking forward to leading the department as we continue to meet and exceed regulatory obligations while providing dependable services to our customers.”

Hesemann grew up in Missouri, but has lived most of this professional life in the Cedar Rapids area. He earned his undergraduate degree from University of Missouri-Columbia. He also serves as an adjunct instructor at Des Moines Area Community College and is active in several watershed organizations across Iowa and Nationally.

Keeping Water – and Plant

Employees – Safe From COVID-19

While this report dives into the details of the City’s water quality in 2020, it is hard not to acknowledge one of the biggest news stories of the year — the COVID-19 pandemic. From early in the pandemic, the City of Cedar Rapids understood the importance of not only keeping its water supply safe, but also ensuring staff who monitor the treatment process could continue to perform their essential duties.

CONTINUED ON P. 2

NEARLY HALF A MILLENIA OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE

While water comes from nature, it takes treatment equipment, pipes, and people working 24/7

to deliver clean, safe drinking water to homes and businesses in our community. From monitoring source water; protecting wellheads; ensuring our treatment processes of softening, filtration and disinfection is delivering the intended results; to monitoring and maintaining the distribution system — all of these jobs require skilled employees with a commitment to excellence.

Water division employees boast a cumulative 470 years of service for the City of Cedar Rapids. This experience can be particularly critical during emergency events, such as the August 2020 derecho. "During and after the storm, water operators were monitoring your water system. Our staff worked hard to ensure pumps continued to operate — even when power was disrupted across the community," explained Christine Knapp, Water Plant Operations Manager. "Division staff routinely undergo operational and safety training to prepare for emergency events," said Knapp.

As power was gradually restored, your water and wastewater treatment processes kept pace, serving our community’s food and grain processing, manufacturing, and other industrial users. For years, the Cedar Rapids Utilities Department has taken steps to invest in this reliability. In a way, the storm highlighted the importance of that work. Ongoing maintenance and testing of our water systems keep City staff prepared when emergency response is required.

In Cedar Rapids, when you turn on the faucet, you know you can expect safe, great-tasting water to flow. You can also trust that Cedar Rapids Water division staff are working hard — day and night — to ensure your tap continues to provide the highest quality water.

www.CityofCR.com/WaterReport

How Your Water is Treated

  • "COVID-19" CONTINUED

It is important for our customers to know that their tap water remains

BEFORE

  • Aeration

Once water arrives at the City’s treatment facilities, it undergoes a process called aeration. During this process, the raw/ untreated water falls down a series of trays. These trays help open the water up so gases can be exchanged and removed. This includes the removal of undesirable gases like radon. Aeration is similar to the natural process that happens when water in a stream flows through rapids or over waterfalls.

  • Softening

Lime chemical is added to soften the water. This process reduces minerals that make water “hard.” Hardness in water means you need to use more soap and detergents. Hard water also causes buildup in water heaters and boilers. Hard water can interfere with industrial processes and sometimes gives water an unappealing taste and odor. Softening water can limit those challenges. After lime chemical is added, residual materials are extracted and applied to farmland as a soil conditioner. The residuals can also be used as fill in approved land-reclamation projects.

3 Recarbonation and Chlorination

Water pH is lowered through the addition of carbon dioxide. Chlorine is added to disinfect the water. This process helps kill disease- causing organisms, making our water safer. During this step, a trace amount of ammonia is also added to further aid in disinfection.

  • Filtration

Water passes through a sand and gravel filter bed, removing any remaining suspended matter.

safe to consume. We use chlorine gas and a trace amount of ammonia as a standard disinfectant for our water supply. As an extra precaution, we utilize powerful ultraviolet lamps to instantly damage any remaining genetic material

AFTER FACILITY UPDATES

Laboratory Updates

Ammonia Lime

Filtration

Out to Homes, Businesses & Storage

In from Wells

Aeration

of microorganisms in our water, eliminating the ability to cause infection. These practices have been shown as effective treatments for viruses and bacteria.

Cedar Rapids has been honing the craft of water treatment since it

became one of the first American cities to adopt rapid sand filtration in 1896. The Water division has kept pace with modern trends, installing chlorination equipment, fluoridation, and ultraviolet

Scientists are constantly discovering new trends and challenges affecting water supplies. Meanwhile, the Cedar Rapids Utilities Department remains steadfast in its obligation to keep the city’s drinking water safe. That’s why recent improvements at the City’s Water

Carbon

Dioxide

Chlorine

Chloramines

 

Added

 

formed

 

 

 

 

(compound of

 

 

chlorine and

Fluoride Phosphate

 

ammonia)

 

 

UV

Disinfection

(UV) disinfection in line with contemporary treatment plants over the past several decades.

As this report demonstrates, another critical component in ensuring the safety and quality of your drinking water is conducting a routine, consistent monitoring and sampling program. Water plant operators and the Utilities laboratory staff ensure the City of Cedar Rapids’

Treatment Laboratory, completed in November 2020, were critical. The upgrades will help us ensure water that comes out of your tap continues to be of the highest possible quality.

The laboratory renovation project preserved historic architectural details at the J Avenue Water Treatment Plant while improving the safety and workflow of the space. New state-of-the-art fume and

  • UV Disinfection

Water enters a ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection system in this step. The UV system uses special lamps to instantly damage the genetic material of any microorganisms in the water. The process eliminates the ability for microorganisms to reproduce and cause infection. Then, water passes through a contact tank. Time spent in this tank allows the chlorine compound created in Step 3 to complete its disinfection process.

  • Fluoridation and Phosphate

Addition

Fluoride promotes children’s dental health. Phosphate is used to stabilize water and lessen the possibility that lead and copper will leach out of pipes and fixtures into tap water.

  • Distribution

Finished water is pumped directly into the distribution system. The distribution system includes water storage tanks, booster stations, and more than 600 miles of water mains. Water stored in elevated tanks or pumped through booster stations helps stabilize pressure in the distribution system and serves as an emergency reserve for fire protection.

While millions of Americans practiced social distancing and sheltered in place, your water and wastewater utilities workers needed to keep water flowing. From early on in the pandemic, the City of Cedar Rapids initiated both an emergency preparedness plan and a continuity of operations plan, to ensure the safety of our community. Employees were educated about best practices for reducing the spread of COVID-19, and staffing schedules and office practices were modified to limit the number of people sharing limited space together.

The City of Cedar Rapids would like to thank ALL essential workers who have continued to provide critical services during the pandemic. We appreciate all you do to protect our community!

2

water quality is always top-notch. Each year the Water division analyzes more than 530,000 data points at each of its two water treatment plants and more than 6,000 points within the distribution system. You can review many of the results from this analysis starting on page six of this report.

Laboratory operators routinely perform testing that exceeds national and state standards. Amy Knudsen, utilities water quality specialist, offered some enlightening statistics. “The regulatory requirement for lead/copper sampling is once every three years, but we do it every year,” said Knudsen. “With atrazine, we need to sample once per year. We test for that monthly. Sodium — one sample is required per year. We monitor it weekly.”

microbiological-control hoods improve safety for lab analysts. Additional bench space made room for updated equipment, including an Ion Chromatograph — used to improve efficient analysis of raw and finished water for fluoride, chloride, nitrate, nitrite, and sulfate.

Another new piece of technology is a high- tech autoclave, which allows operators to increase the type and frequency

of microbiology testing in the lab. Improvements to the space also opened up room to relocate a lab employee from the Water Pollution Control building, doubling analyst presence at the water lab during the week. This allows our staff to serve and turn around results to customers more quickly.

Keeping Your Water Flowing

Water keeps our city running and our economy growing. While essential, water infrastructure is often unseen. Many never consider how water gets to the tap, or where it goes after we flush it away. Luckily, Cedar Rapids residents don’t have to worry about it. The Utilities Department maintains good functioning pumps, treatment plants, and pipes

to bring clean water into homes and businesses, and to remove and treat wastewater.

Many components in our drinking and wastewater treatment facilities were brought online decades ago and have been working ever since! We are constantly working to monitor portions of the system as the time comes to upgrade and replenish equipment. Learn more about recent and upcoming improvements at right.

Bever Park Reservoir

Resurfacing

The 1922 Bever Park Reservoir is an 8 million gallon underground water tank. The tank stores water for use during high-demand periods. It also balances water pressure in the area. A recent project emptied, cleaned and refreshed the tank for years to come.

NW Softener Basin Addition

A new softener basin is being constructed at the NW Water Treatment Plant. This project will allow the Water division to preserve treatment capacity while renovating and extending the useful life of existing water softeners.

3

The City of Cedar Rapids obtains its drinking water supplies from wells constructed in sand and gravel deposits along the Cedar River. Those deposits form an underground, water-bearing layer called an alluvial

aquifer. Because of continuous pumping of the City’s wells, most of the water in the aquifer is pulled from the river.

The rest of the water is supplied as water percolates up from a deeper bedrock aquifer, or down from the top of the ground.

As the wells perform their work, your drinking water benefits from natural filtration through sand in the riverbank. This filtration has proven to

be a beneficial pretreatment to water before it reaches the City’s conventional lime-softening facilities.

The Water division achieved 100% compliance with the Iowa Department

 

of Natural Resources’ water quality expectations in 2020. This marks

 

the third consecutive year the division earned this distinction.

 

Additionally, the Water Pollution Control Facility (WPC) must meet

 

3,865 points of compliance toward its water discharge permit

 

each year. In 2020, WPC became eligible for the North American

 

Clean Water Agency (NACWA) Silver Peak Performance Award

 

for its exceptional compliance, with only one deviation from the

 

standard. Cedar Rapids residents can be proud of the exceptional

CITY OF CEDAR RAPIDS

standards upheld by their Utilities Department every day.

 

QUESTIONS?

CALL:

If you have questions or concerns about our water quality or

319-286-5900

EMAIL:

this report, please contact Water Division Customer Service. We

are happy to help identify issues and resolve your concerns.

watermail@cedar-rapids.org

4

Cedar Rapids residents enjoy water rates that are among the lowest in the state!

$4.69

.00 $990

PER 1,000

GALLONS FROM

THE CITY (FY21)

PER 1,000 GALLONS

PURCHASED AT

THE STORE

(AT $.99/GALLON)

WHAT'S THE

VALUE

of Water?

Invaluable. Reliable. Water—it is essential for everything we do in life. We need water to make a cup of coffee, fight fires, build bridges, and swim on a summer day. From agriculture to manufacturing, most sectors of our economy rely on water.

Water drives economic growth and competitiveness. Water protects public health. Water revitalizes neighborhoods and supports community vitality. It sustains our environment and makes us more resilient in the face of climate change. Water is life.

LEARN MORE AT

www.thevalueofwater.org

WHAT WE'RE DOING

ABOUT LEAD

The Water Division (CRWD) routinely tests for lead in the drinking water leaving our treatment plants. In 2020, no lead was detected leaving our plants. Lead can leach into water during overnight contact with pipes and faucets in older homes. CRWD monitors this with a sampling program. Our tests show most homes test at, or well below, the standard set

by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for annual monitoring of lead. CRWD performs special sampling and analysis when lead is detected above the standard.

Important Lead and Copper Service Line Information

We work hard every day to exceed the EPA’s standards. The EPA recently updated its Lead and Copper Rule for Public Water Systems. Learn how these changes may affect you:

Some older homes still utilize lead plumbing, or have a lead service line between their house and the water main. To reduce the risk of dissolved lead from old pipes, CRWD adds lead corrosion control to its

water supply. This consists of a very low concentration of zinc ortho-phosphate, a mineral that reduces the risk of dissolved lead in consumers’ water. This

small amount has long been proven safe for consumption.

CRWD is updating its service line

records— the plumbing between City distribution pipes and the

water meter on the customer’s end. Sometimes, service lines

need to be repaired or replaced.

The Water Division does not always receive updated information when this happens. Updating records is a high priority and a first step toward determining how precise our monitoring program can be.

The EPA’s updated Lead-Copper rule instructs CRWD to fully update its service-line inventory and replace/improve a set amount of older connections through a program spanning several years. Lead lines discovered will need to be replaced. The EPA is working to provide financial assistance to offset the cost for property owners to replace their portion of the lead service line, however, this will not be mandatory. It

is important to know that if only the CRWD-owned portion is replaced, a potential for exposure to dissolved lead remains. CRWD will notify homeowners of scheduled service line and water main work in their area. The goal is to complete service line replacements all at one time — as quickly as possible.

The revised Lead and Copper Rule also discontinues collection of water samples from service lines that are made of copper using lead solder. The monitoring program will continue to collect water samples from service lines made of lead. Additional testing of schools and childcare centers is included under the rule revision.

THE CITY NEEDS YOUR HELP!

Customer participation to identify their service line material can reduce the expense of the inventory requirement. This may also reduce inconveniences associated with potential home or office visits. Help the CRWD in its efforts to remove lead service lines from the water system. Fill out our short survey at www.CityofCR.com/inventory.

Educational Information

LEAD IN DRINKING WATER

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. The CRWD is responsible for providing high-quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking and cooking.

If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested.

Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline (1-800-426-4791) or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

The following state-approved laboratories can test your water for lead:

State Hygienic Laboratory:

Coralville, IA | 800-421-4692

TestAmerica: Cedar Falls, IA | 319-277-2401

Keystone Labs: Newton, IA | 641-792-8451

NITRATE

A nitrate is a dissolved form of nitrogen found in fertilizers and sewage byproducts that may leach into groundwater and other water sources. Nitrates occur naturally in some waters. Over time, nitrates can accumulate in aquifers and contaminate groundwater.

Nitrate in drinking water at levels above 10 ppm is a potential health risk for infants less than six months of age. High nitrate levels in drinking water can cause blue baby syndrome. Nitrate levels may rise quickly for short periods of time because of rainfall or agricultural activity. If you are caring for an infant, ask for advice from your health care provider.

AT-RISK POPULATIONS

It's important to be aware that some people may be more vulnerable than the general population to contaminants in drinking water. Immuno- compromised persons — those undergoing cancer chemo-therapy or organ transplants, some elderly or infants and people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders — can be particularly at risk from infections. We ask anyone that may be at risk to seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. Guidelines from the EPA and Centers for Disease Control on appropriate steps to lessen the risk of infection by microbial contaminants and/or Cryptosporidium are available from the National Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

5

Water Quality Findings This table summarizes required water quality monitoring results for regulated parameters that were detected in the 2020 calendar year. A comprehensive report of all water quality testing is available from the Water Division.

WATER TREATMENT PLANTS - FINISHED WATER

UNREGULATED AND SECONDARY CHEMICALS

INORGANIC CHEMICALS

 

 

 

J AVE PLANT

 

NW PLANT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITS

MCL

MCLG

RANGE

AVG

RANGE

AVG

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONTAMINANT

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloride

mg/L

NA

250

23.3 - 33.2

27.2

20.7 - 28.9

24.9

Erosion of natural deposits; Run-off

INORGANIC CHEMICALS

 

UNITS

MCL

MCLG

VIOLATION

 

 

 

 

 

Arsenic

μg/L

10

0

No

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrate

mg/L

10

10

No

 

 

 

 

 

Nitrite

mg/L

1

1

No

 

 

 

 

 

Sodium

mg/L

NA

NA

No

 

 

 

 

 

Fluoride

mg/L

4

4

No

 

 

 

 

 

ORGANIC CHEMICALS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Toluene

mg/L

1

1

No

 

 

 

 

 

Atrazine

μg/L

3

3

No

J AVE PLANT

NW PLANT

 

 

 

 

RANGE

REPORTED

RANGE

REPORTED

 

 

 

 

ND -0.64

0.37

ND - 0.46

0.31

 

 

 

 

0.63 - 5.40

5.40

ND - 5.83

5.83

 

 

 

 

ND - 0.07

0.07

ND - 0.05

0.05

 

 

 

 

NA

14.0

NA

13.0

 

 

 

 

0.10 - 0.81

0.81

0.12 - 0.88

0.88

 

 

 

 

RANGE

REPORTED

RANGE

REPORTED

 

 

 

 

NA

ND

NA

ND

 

 

 

 

ND - 0.30

0.11

ND - 0.30

0.08

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONTAMINANT

Erosion of natural deposits; Runoff from orchards; Runoff from glass and electronics production wastes

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, Sewage; Erosion of natural deposits

Runoff from fertilizer use; Leaching from septic tanks, Sewage; Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits; Added to water during treatment process

Water additive which promotes strong teeth; Erosion of natural deposits; Discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.

Discharge from petroleum factories

Runoff from herbicide used on row crops

Copper

mg/L

NA

1.0

ND - 0.010

0.004

 

ND - 0.018

0.010

 

Corrosion of household plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Manganese

μg/L

NA

50

ND - 44.5

10.2

 

ND - 0.27

0.01

 

Corrosion of household plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sulfate

mg/L

NA

250

20.8

- 31.2

24.9

 

19.7

- 32.0

26.1

 

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Zinc

mg/L

NA

5

0.13

- 0.27

0.21

 

0.20

- 0.25

0.23

 

Corrosion of household plumbing; Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ORGANIC CHEMICALS

 

 

 

RANGE

AVG

 

RANGE

AVG

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chloroform

μg/L

NA

70

0.9

- 1.5

1.2

 

1.7

- 3.5

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bromodichloromethane

μg/L

NA

0

ND

ND

 

ND - 0.8

0.5

 

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dichloroacetic Acid

μg/L

NA

0

1.0

- 2.0

1.5

 

1.0

- 2.0

1.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trichloroacetic Acid

μg/L

NA

20

NA

ND

 

NA

ND

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Metolachlor

μg/L

NA

NA

0.10

- 0.40

0.22

 

ND - 0.30

0.18

 

Run-off from fertilizer used on row crops

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADIONUCLIDES

 

 

 

RANGE

REPORTED

 

 

RANGE

 

 

REPORTED

POSSIBLE SOURCES OF CONTAMINANT

Radon

pCi/L

NA

NA

38

- 64

55

 

 

 

20 - 37

 

 

30

Erosion of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RADIONUCLIDES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Combined

pCi/L

5

0

No

Radium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radium

pCi/L

5

0

No

-226

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radium

pCi/L

5

0

No

-228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Alpha

pCi/L

15

0

No

 

 

 

 

 

TREATMENT TECHNIQUE INDICATORS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total

Removal

 

 

 

Organic

TT

NA

No

Credits

Carbon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NTU

TT

NA

No

Turbidity

 

 

 

 

Cannot exceed 1.0 NTU & Monthly no

 

 

more than 5% > 0.3 NTU

 

 

 

 

 

 

RANGE

REPORTED

RANGE

REPORTED

 

 

 

 

NA

ND

NA

ND

 

 

 

 

NA

ND

NA

ND

 

 

 

 

NA

ND

NA

ND

 

 

 

 

NA

ND

NA

ND

 

 

 

 

RANGE

REPORTED

RANGE

REPORTED

 

 

 

 

0.48 - 2.09

1.34

0.90 - 4.23

1.64

Running Annual Average TOC Credits must be > 1.0

0.04 - 0.11

 

0.11

0.03 - 0.23

 

0.23

 

 

 

 

% > 0.3 NTU

% > 0.3 NTU

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits

Erosion of natural deposits

Naturally present in the environment

Soil runoff

UNREGULATED CONTAMINANT MONITORING RULE (UCMR) 4

 

 

Manganese

Germanium

HAA5 µg/L

HAA6Br µg/L

HAA9 µg/L

TOC mg/L

Bromide mg/L

 

 

µg/L

μg/L

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Method

EPA 200.8

EPA 200.8

EPA 552.3

EPA 552.3

EPA 552.3

SM 5310B

EPA 300.01

J Ave. Treatment

Range

8.6 - 113

ND

NA

NA

NA

1.7 - 2.2

26.0 - 34.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant

Average

44.200

ND

NA

NA

NA

2.0

29.6

 

J Ave.

Range

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Area

Average

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NW Treatment

Range

0.63 - 687

ND - 0.55

NA

NA

NA

1.5 - 2.3

24.0 - 32.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Plant

Average

230

0.18

NA

NA

NA

2.0

27.6

 

NW Plant

Range

NA

NA

1.4 - 3.2

ND - 1.7

1.4 - 4.7

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Distribution Area

Average

NA

NA

2.5

1.3

3.8

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MCL

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

NA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NO CURRENT REGULATORY MCL - EPA Mandatory sampling and analysis to determine contaminate occurrence nationally and establish regulatory MCL's.

ACRONYMS

AVG: Average

ND: Not Detected

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level

NR: Not Regulated

mg/L: Milligrams per liter or parts per million

μg/L: Micrograms per liter or parts per billion

pCi/L: Picocuries per liter

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level

MCLG: Maximum Contaminant Level Goal

NA: Not Applicable

NTU: Nephelometric Turbidity Unit

MRDLG: Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM MONITORING

LEAD AND

UNITS

ACTION

 

MCLG

VIOLATION

 

RANGE

 

 

90th

 

 

95th

 

 

 

SAMPLES

 

 

 

SOURCE OF CHEMICAL

 

COPPER RULE

LEVEL (AL)

 

 

PERCENTILE

PERCENTILE

 

 

EXCEEDING AL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lead

μg/L

 

15

 

 

 

0

 

No

 

ND - 132

 

3.7

 

 

6.7

 

 

1

 

 

Corrosion of household plumbing systems; Erosion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Copper

mg/L

 

1.3

 

 

1.3

 

No

 

ND - 0.488

 

0.087

 

0.193

 

 

0

 

 

of natural deposits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

REVISED TOTAL COLIFORM RULE

 

 

 

 

 

JAN

FEB

 

MAR

 

APRIL

 

MAY

 

 

JUNE

 

JULY

AUG

SEPT

 

OCT

NOV

DEC

Total # Samples/Month

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

108

 

108

 

 

109

 

108

 

109

 

 

108

 

108

109

108

 

108

108

108

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

# Positive Coliform Samples/Month

 

 

 

 

 

0

 

0

 

 

0

 

0

 

0

 

 

0

 

0

0

0

 

0

0

0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Level 1 Assessment Required

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No

No

 

No

 

No

 

No

 

 

No

 

No

No

No

 

No

No

No

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Meets Monthly MCL of <5% Positive Coliform/Month

Yes

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

Yes

 

 

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

Yes

Yes

Yes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISINFECTANT & DISINFECTION BY-PRODUCTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITS

 

MRDL

MRDLG

VIOLATION

 

 

RANGE

 

REPORTED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chlorine Residual

 

 

 

mg/L

 

4

4

 

No

 

 

1.8 - 3.9

 

3.5

 

 

 

Water additive used to control microbial growth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNITS

 

MCL

MCLG

VIOLATION

 

 

RANGE

 

REPORTED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM)

 

 

μg/L

 

80

NA

No

 

 

ND - 3.4

3.1*

 

 

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

 

 

μg/L

 

60

NA

No

 

 

 

ND

1.5**

 

 

 

By-product of drinking water disinfection

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Highest Locational Running Annual Average at Site DB03 ** Highest Locational Running Annual Average at Site DB01

Sample Key

Highest Running Annual Average

 

 

Maximum Value

 

 

Single Result

 

 

 

Lowest Running

 

 

Highest Locational

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Chlorine Residual

 

 

 

 

 

 

Radium -226

 

 

Annual Average

 

 

Running Annual Average

Arsenic

 

 

Nitrate

 

 

Sodium

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Organic Carbon

 

 

Total Trihalomethanes

Fluoride

Radon

 

 

Nitrite

 

 

Toluene

Radium - 228

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total Haloacetic Acids

Atrazine

 

 

 

Turbidity

 

 

Combined Radium

Gross Alpha

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source Water Assessment Information: This water supply obtains its water from the sand and gravel of the Alluvial aquifer of the Cedar River. The Alluvial aquifer was determined to be highly susceptible to contamination because the aquifer characteristics and the overlying materials provide little protection from contamination at the land surface. The Alluvial wells will be highly susceptible to surface contaminants such as leaking underground storage tanks, contaminant spills, and excess fertilizer application. A detailed evaluation of the source water supply was completed by the IDNR, and is available by contacting the public water supply at 319-286-5975. Information about work being done to help minimize contamination of the source water supply can be found at www.cityofcr.com/mcpp.

 

Arsenic µg/L

Total

E.coli

Lead µg/L

Copper µg/L

Zinc µg/L

Manganese

Iron µg/L

Sodium mg/L

Nitrate mg/L

 

 

Coliform

TOC mg/L

 

cfu/100ml

µg/L

 

 

cfu/100ml

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2015 Annual Average

1.15

720

<1

ND

2.8

1.0

214.9

65.1

11.9

4.0

2.10

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2016 Annual Average

3.05

33

<1

ND

6.8

2.1

166.0

63.4

9.2

5.5

2.56

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2017 Annual Average

1.25

65

<1

0.37

8.8

4.4

170.3

110.6

9.5

4.0

1.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2018 Annual Average

0.84

35

<1

0.05

4.2

2.2

170.9

49.4

10.0

3.6

2.27

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2019 Annual Average

0.86

55

<1

ND

6.6

2.7

120.0

42.7

9.4

3.6

2.87

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2020 Annual Average

1.40

2

<1

ND

7.1

0.9

120.2

289.3

10.2

3.3

1.57

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following is an important message from the Environmental Protection Agency:

Drinking water, including bottled water, may be reasonably expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. That’s because as the water we draw from — lakes, rivers, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells — travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it picks up naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material. It can also pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the EPA’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 800-426-4791 or visiting the website at www.epa.gov/ogwdw. Inadequately treated water may contain disease-causing organisms. These organisms include bacteria, viruses and parasites, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps, diarrhea and associated headaches.

6

7

Frequently Asked Questions

Is there PFAS in my drinking water?

In 2013 we sampled for six PFAS compounds with no PFAS detected. In July 2020, we sampled for 18 PFAS compounds and had lower than reportable results. Currently, there are no formal standards for these compounds. Demonstrating our commitment to high water quality standards, the CRWD will partner with Iowa DNR on a yearlong PFAS study later in 2021. The study will help determine what role, if any, PFAS plays within our water supply. Locations where the compounds were manufactured, or air fields adjacent to streams where a significant amount of fire-fighting foam may have been used, appear to be the most likely sites of concern for these compounds. Neither of these cases present a concern for our source water at this time.

What is the fluoride concentration and why is it added?

Fluoride is added during the treatment process to help prevent dental cavities. The optimal concentration is maintained at 0.7 parts per million (ppm) with a range of 0.6-0.9 ppm as recommended by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

My toilet tank and inside of my dishwasher are stained dark brown to black. Is my water safe to drink?

The dark staining is likely due to the corrosion- control chemical added during treatment. Its purpose is to lay a protective coating on the insides of pipes so water never comes in contact with the pipe, thereby reducing the risk of dissolving lead or copper into the drinking water. It has been tested extensively and no health or safety concerns have been identified.

My water throughout the entire house tastes and smells musty or stale. Is it OK to drink? Sometimes in low-use areas or dead-end main areas, the water does not get circulated as it should. Where this is the case, the distribution crew can be notified to flush hydrants in the area to help bring in fresh water.

What should I expect if my water is shut off due to a water main break?

Water main breaks are often indicated by a lack of water at the tap or water bubbling to the surface of neighborhood streets. This may prompt a water service disruption to your home or business.

Repair crews attempt to reach all homes, businesses, and apartments prior to shutting off water, except under emergency situations. The crews leave an information sheet (door hanger) at the property which explains what to do if water is shut off. It generally takes repair crews 8-12 hours to fix a break and restore water service. If air or particles are coming out of your drinking tap, run water for several minutes to flush the line. If possible, run the water through your bath faucet as this moves the most water and sediment.

In most cases, it takes another two days for a bacterial contamination sample to return. If the sample shows no contamination in the water, another information sheet is issued, indicating an All Clear. Information will be posted to the City’s website (CityofCR.com) if a precautionary boil advisory notice is issued.

If you receive a precautionary boil advisory notice, follow these steps before consuming tap water:

  1. bring water to a boil; 2) let water boil rapidly for at least one minute; 3) allow water to completely cool before consuming; 4) check City website for advisory status updates, or call Water Customer
    Service at 319-286-5900.

Glossary

8

Action Level (AL): The concentration of a contaminant that, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirements that a water system must follow.

Arsenic: The EPA recently lowered the arsenic Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) to 10 ppb. Trace amounts of arsenic are occasionally detected in your drinking water at levels well below this more stringent standard. Arsenic is a mineral known to cause cancer in humans at high concentrations and is linked to other health effects such as skin damage and circulatory problems.

Coliform: A bacteria originating in the digestive system of mammals. Its presence in water alerts lab technicians that disease-causing agents may be present.

Compliance: Following all rules and regulations defined in the Safe Drinking Water Act and maintaining water quality below MCLs.

Contaminant: One of a variety of natural or man- made physical, chemical, biological or radiological substances whose presence in public water systems may cause adverse health effects to consumers.

Detection: The positive identification of the presence of a particular contaminant. Detection of a contaminant does not necessarily represent a serious health risk to consumers if the concentration is below the MCL.

Disinfection: Killing the larger portion of microorganisms in water, with the probability that the disinfecting agent kills all disease-causing bacteria.

Drought: A period of unusually persistent dry weather that persists long enough to cause serious problems such as crop damage and/or water supply shortages.

Filtration: A treatment process that physically removes particles from water as the water passes through a medium.

Groundwater: The supply of fresh water found beneath the earth’s surface, usually in aquifers. Groundwater is often used to supply wells and springs.

Herbicide: A chemical agent used to kill plants, especially weeds. Used widely in agriculture.

Immunocompromised: A physical condition in which the human immune system becomes less capable of warding off illness or infection.

Inorganic: Composed of or involving organisms (or their remains or products) that are not living. Examples of inorganic substances include minerals, rocks and salt.

Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL): The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the Maximum

Contaminant Level Goals (MCLGs) as feasible, using the best available treatment technology.

Maximum Contaminant Level Goal (MCLG): The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

Maximum Residual Disinfection Level (MRDL): The highest level of a disinfectant allowed in drinking water. There is convincing evidence that addition of a disinfectant is necessary for control of microbial contaminants.

Maximum Residual Disinfection Level Goal (MRDLG): The level of drinking water disinfectant below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MRDLGs do not reflect the benefits of the use of disinfectants to control microbial contaminants.

Microbial: A group of microorganisms such as bacteria, protozoa and viruses.

Nephelometric Turbidity Unit (NTU): A unit of measure used to determine the clarity of drinking water.

Organic: Of, pertaining to or derived from living organisms. Organic matter contains carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Examples include humans, plants and animals.

Particulates: Of or relating to minute separate particles.

Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS): A group of manufactured chemicals that have been used in a variety of industries around the globe since the 1940s. The chemicals are very persistent in the environment and in the human body – meaning they don’t break down and they can accumulate over time. There is evidence that exposure to PFAS can lead to adverse human health effects.

Pesticides: Any substance or chemical applied to kill or control pests, including weeds, insects, algae, rodents and other undesirable agents.

Radionuclides: Naturally occurring and human- made radionuclides are present throughout the environment. They are found in varying amounts in soil, water, indoor and outdoor air—and even within our bodies—making exposure inevitable. State and Federal regulations establish safe drinking water maximum contaminant levels for a variety of radionuclides. Monitored contaminants include Gross Alpha Radiation, Radium-226, Radium-228, and Combined Radium radionuclides. The existing treatment process does not reduce or remove these contaminants. Except in extreme circumstances, radiation resulting from the ingestion of radionuclides in drinking water is far lower than radiation resulting from other sources of exposure, like radon found in

some basements. Radon is a radionuclide classified as an unregulated contaminant. During the aeration treatment stage, radon can be removed from the water source. Additional information about Radon and aeration is included in this report. The concentration of radionuclides found in our water is well within safe regulatory guidelines.

Radon: Radon is a radioactive gas that you can’t see, taste or smell. It is found throughout the United States. Radon is a known human carcinogen. Breathing air containing radon can lead to lung cancer. Drinking water containing radon may also increase the risk of stomach cancer. Radon can build up to high levels in all types of homes. Radon can move up through the ground and into a home through cracks and holes

in the foundation. Radon can also be released into indoor air from tap water when showering, washing dishes, and performing other household activities. A radon level less than 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) is considered safe. Between 0.0019 – 0.0070 pCi/L of radon may enter the air from City tap water — far less than radon entering homes through the foundation. Fix your home if the level of radon in your air is 4 picocuries per liter of air (pCi/L) or higher. There are simple ways to fix a radon problem that aren’t too costly. If you are concerned about radon in your home, test the air in your home. Testing is inexpensive and easy.

For additional information, call your state radon program (800-838-5992) or the EPA’s Radon Hotline (800-767-7236).

Surface water: All water naturally open to the atmosphere and all springs, wells or other collectors that are directly influenced by surface water. Water located close to the earth’s surface.

Total Organic Carbon (TOC): Amount of carbon found in an organic compound; used as an indicator of water quality.

Revised Total Coliform Rule (RTCR): Revised compliance rule that aims to increase public health protection through reduction of pathways for contamination; find-fix-document.

Treatment Technique (TT): A required process intended to reduce the level of a contaminant in drinking water.

Turbidity: Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water. Turbidity is a good indicator of treatment filter performance and is regulated as a Treatment Technique.

Violation: Exceeding the MCL of a contaminant regulated by the federal government; failure to properly monitor or report regulated contaminants would also be considered a violation.

Contaminants


Cedar Rapids Water Department

EWG's drinking water quality report shows results of tests conducted by the water utility and provided to the Environmental Working Group by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, as well as information from the U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History database (ECHO). For the latest quarter assessed by the U.S. EPA (January 2019 - March 2019), tap water provided by this water utility was in compliance with federal health-based drinking water standards.

Utility details

  • Serves: 128201
  • Data available: 2012-2017
  • Data Source: Purchased groundwater under influence of surface water
  • Total: 18

Contaminants That Exceed Guidelines

  • Arsenic
  • Bromodichloromethane
  • Chloroform
  • Chromium (hexavalent)
  • Dichloroacetic acid
  • Nitrate
  • Radium%2C combined (-226 & -228)
  • Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

Other Detected Contaminants

  • 1%2C4-Dioxane
  • Atrazine
  • Chlorodifluoromethane
  • Fluoride
  • Metolachlor
  • Molybdenum
  • Strontium
  • Toluene
  • Trichloroacetic acid
  • Vanadium

Reminder

Always take extra precautions, the water may be safe to drink when it leaves the sewage treatment plant but it may pick up pollutants during its way to your tap. We advise that you ask locals or hotel staff about the water quality. Also, note that different cities have different water mineral contents.

Sources and Resources

Is it safe to drink tap water in Cedar Rapids, Iowa? The tap water for most homes is safe to drink, but it needs to be tested to ensure the quality of the water. This can be done by a certified water testing laboratory.

In Cedar Rapids, there are a number of chemicals and naturally occurring contaminants that cause harm to the environment. Some of these chemicals are known to be cancer causing. Others are toxic or cancer-causing agents. They are found in our drinking water. They are in our storm drains and runoff from sewers.

Once the water reaches the local water treatment facility, it is sent off into the drainage system and the sewer system where it meets with the next level of filtration. A lot of the chemicals found in our drinking water is not eliminated by the process. Instead they remain in the pipes and eventually end up in our lakes and streams.

Cedar Rapids water is treated at a treatment facility. The treatment facility uses se

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