Water Treatment

In Iowa, there are two main sources of drinking water: public water supplies and private wells. Public water supplies, including city water utilities and rural water supplies that are regulated to maintain specific water quality standards, provide water for 93% of Iowans.

Before drinking water gets to the tap, it must first be treated to remove contaminants and assure safety for consumption. There are five main steps in purifying water before it gets to your tap:

Is tap water safe to drink? In 1974, Congress passed the Safe Drinking Water Act, which provides protection of our country’s public drinking water supplies, setting water quality standards and ensuring that appropriate treatment techniques are in place. Water providers are required to produce a Consumer Confidence Report annually that summarizes their water source, susceptibility to contamination, and how the water system fares compared to water quality standards.

Many communities offer tours of their water treatment facilities upon request. Water treatment plants are fascinating places to visit, and they can help us see the “big picture” as to where our water comes from, along with the systems in place to ensure safe drinking water for all!