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Chariton, IA Tap Water Quality 2026

Water quality report for Chariton, IA — PFAS, lead and copper results, violation history and state inspection findings from EPA SDWIS.

A look at Chariton's drinking water using EPA enforcement records: violations, lead and copper results, PFAS sampling and state inspection findings.

Main Utility: Chariton Municipal Water Works PWSID: IA5903011 Updated: 2026 Q2
✅

No federal limits exceeded on record

Lead is 2.70 ppb, 18% of the action level and no violations are open. No PFAS was detected.

B

Chariton earns a B for water quality

Graded on violations, lead, and PFAS, with state inspection findings.

Lead: 2.70 ppb — 18% of the federal action level
PFAS tested, none detected
42 violations since 2015, 37 health-based
No violations currently open
Chariton's lead level vs. all Iowa community water systems
0 ppb5 ppb10 ppb15 ppb
Lead level: 2.70 ppb — 18% of the federal action level
✓ Lower lead than 37% of Iowa utilities
Population Served
3925
~1994 connections
Water Source
Surface water
Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Active Violations
0
42 since 2015, all resolved

Lead & Copper Testing

Lead (Pb)
90th percentile of tap samples collected across the distribution system
18% of EPA action level
2.70 ppb
Action level: 15 ppb
The 90th-percentile lead result is 2.70 ppb, 18% of the 15 ppb federal action level. The action level is a treatment trigger, not a legal maximum, and it is measured across sampled taps rather than at any single home.

Contaminant Violations (2015–Present)

ContaminantTypeMeasuredLimitPeriodStatus
Nitrite MONITORING AND REPORTING — 1 mg/L 2018–2019 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2017 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2017 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2016 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Public Notice OTHER — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.066 MG/L 0.060 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) MCL EXCEEDANCE 0.064 MG/L 0.060 mg/L 2015 Resolved
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Surface Water Treatment Rule TREATMENT TECHNIQUE — — 2015 Resolved
Understanding violation types MCL violations mean a contaminant exceeded the federal maximum limit — the most serious type.
TT (Treatment Technique) violations mean required treatment procedures weren't followed, but don't necessarily mean contamination occurred.

Violation History

42 violations are on record since 2015, of which 37 were health-based. All have been resolved and none remain open.

About the Main Water System

Utility Chariton Municipal Water Works
PWSID IA5903011
Water source Surface water — Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
Population served 3,925
Service connections 1,994
Systems serving this area 2
Regulator State primacy agency
Data through 2026 Q2 — EPA SDWIS

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chariton tap water safe to drink? ▼
No federal limit is exceeded on record. No violations are currently open. Lead is 2.70 ppb, 18% of the action level.
Does Chariton water have PFAS? ▼
It was tested for the six regulated PFAS compounds and none were detected.
Who supplies water to Chariton? ▼
Chariton Municipal Water Works (PWSID IA5903011), one of 2 systems serving this area. Surface water. Purchased from another system — SDWIS source code SWP
When was this system last inspected? ▼
It was last inspected on 2025-07-24. No significant deficiencies were recorded.

What Should Chariton Residents Do?

1
Read your annual water report
Your supplier publishes a Consumer Confidence Report each July covering the prior year.
2
Check for a lead service line
Lead reaches tap water mainly through service lines and household plumbing. Suppliers now publish an inventory identifying lead lines.
3
Flush before drinking
If water has sat in pipes more than six hours, run the cold tap for two minutes before drinking or cooking.

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