Tap Water Quality Report
Tap water quality in AMES, Iowa
Tap water in AMES, Iowa receives a grade of C (76/100) from TapWaterSafety.org. It's served by AMES WATER TREATMENT PLANT. The most significant water quality concerns are: PFAS contamination; Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline; Total PFOS and PFOA significantly above health guideline; Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline. Data sources: EPA SDWIS, EPA ECHO, EWG Tap Water Database.
What's in AMES's tap water
Top water quality concerns identified by the EPA and Environmental Working Group across the utility serving AMES.
PFAS contamination
Severe concernPerfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), Total PFOS and PFOA detected. PFAS are persistent chemicals linked to cancer and immune effects with no known safe exposure threshold.
Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernPerfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) detected at 1.15 ppt, 1153x above the EWG health guideline of 0.001 ppt.
Total PFOS and PFOA significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernTotal PFOS and PFOA detected at 0.9 ppt, 129x above the EWG health guideline of 0.007 ppt.
Haloacetic acids (HAA9) significantly above health guideline
Moderate concernHaloacetic acids (HAA9) detected at 2.13 ppb, 36x above the EWG health guideline of 0.06 ppb.
EPA compliance record
Official U.S. EPA records for AMES WATER TREATMENT PLANT (system ID IA8503039) for the last 3 years. Checked 2026-10-07.
| Rule | Type | Since | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Missed testing | 09/01/2025 | Open |
Source: U.S. EPA Enforcement and Compliance History Online (ECHO), from the Safe Drinking Water Information System. See EPA's full report.
Recommended filters for AMES
Filters matched to the specific contaminants in AMES's water supply.
Filter certified for PFOA/PFOS (NSF/ANSI 53 or 58)
$180-$750Reverse osmosis and some carbon block filters reduce PFAS. Look for certification to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 for PFOA/PFOS.
Carbon filter certified for VOCs (NSF/ANSI 53)
$180-$599Activated carbon is effective for disinfection byproducts. Look for NSF/ANSI 53 VOC reduction.
Disclosure: TapWaterSafety earns a commission from purchases made through these links. This does not influence our scoring methodology or filter selection.
All contaminants detected in AMES's tap water
Every contaminant identified, compared side-by-side against US EPA legal limits, the EU Drinking Water Directive (2020/2184), WHO Guidelines, and California's Public Health Goal. Why we show multiple standards →
| Contaminant | Detected | EWG US health-based |
EPA US legal |
EU DWD Europe |
WHO global |
CA PHG strictest US |
Tested sample year |
Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perfluorohexane sulfonate (PFHXS) PFAS |
1.15 ppt | 0.001 | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | 1153× over |
| Total PFOS and PFOA PFAS |
0.9 ppt | 0.007 | — | 100 | 100 | 0.007 | — | 129× over |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA9) Disinfection byproduct |
2.13 ppb | 0.06 | — | — | — | — | — | 36× over |
| Radium, combined (-226 and -228) Radiological |
1.0 pCi/L | 0.05 | 5.0 | — | — | — | — | 20× over |
| Chromium (hexavalent) Heavy metal |
0.216 ppb | 0.02 | — | — | — | — | — | 11× over |
| Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) PFAS |
1.24 ppt | 0.3 | 4.0 | 100 | 100 | 1 | — | 4.1× over |
| Chlorate Disinfection byproduct |
77.4 ppb | 210.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Molybdenum Other |
5.63 ppb | 40.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Barium Heavy metal |
80.0 ppb | 700.0 | 2000.0 | — | 1300 | 2000 | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutanoic Acid (PFBA) PFAS |
1.18 ppt | 1000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Strontium Radiological |
0.208 ppb | 1500.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) PFAS |
0.224 ppt | 2000.0 | — | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
| Fluoride Inorganic |
0.62 ppm | — | 4.0 | 1.5 | 1.5 | — | — | Below guideline |
| Nitrite Inorganic |
0.0824 ppm | — | 1.0 | — | — | — | — | Below guideline |
All values in the unit of the detected level. Red cells indicate the detected level exceeds that standard. Some contaminants have limits in some jurisdictions but not others (shown as —). The "Tested" column shows the year each contaminant sample was collected.
Sources: US EPA, EU Drinking Water Directive 2020/2184, WHO Guidelines, California OEHHA PHGs, EWG Tap Water Database.
Treatment plant contact info
For service issues, water quality concerns, or to request a Consumer Confidence Report from AMES WATER TREATMENT PLANT.