Urbandale Water Utility

Sources of municipal water (both tap and bottled) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels across land or underground, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, while also potentially collecting substances from animal or human activities.

Potential contaminants in source water include:

• Inorganic Contaminants: Such as salts and metals, which may occur naturally or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil/gas production, or farming activities.
• Biological Contaminants: Including viruses and bacteria from agricultural operations, sewage treatment facilities, septic systems, and wildlife.
• Chemical Compounds: Both synthetic and volatile organic chemicals from industrial processes, petroleum production, gas stations, urban runoff, and septic systems.
• Agricultural Chemicals: Pesticides and herbicides from farming operations and residential use.
• Radioactive Materials: Which can occur naturally or result from oil/gas production and mining activities.

Before reaching your home, water undergoes testing by certified laboratories at Des Moines Water Works' Fleur Drive Treatment Plant and the University of Iowa's Hygienic Laboratory. The 2017 results in this report include samples from Des Moines Water Works' treatment plants and from distribution systems supplied by Des Moines Water Works.

All municipal water, including bottled water, may reasonably contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. Their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk. Immuno-compromised individuals, including cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, organ transplant recipients, people with HIV/AIDS, some elderly individuals, and infants may be particularly vulnerable to certain contaminants. These individuals should consult their healthcare providers about their water consumption.

Nitrate levels exceeding 10 parts per million (ppm) pose health risks to infants under six months, potentially causing blue baby syndrome. If caring for an infant, consult your healthcare provider about water safety. Des Moines Water Works employs source water blending and ion exchange treatment when necessary to maintain nitrate levels below the 10 ppm standard.

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Des Moines Water Works minimizes lead exposure risk through an approved corrosion control program. Lead in municipal water primarily comes from materials in private service lines and home plumbing. Running your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking can further reduce potential lead exposure.

Cryptosporidium, a microbial pathogen found in surface water, enters watersheds through animal and human waste. While filtration removes Cryptosporidium, standard filtration cannot guarantee 100% removal. Ingestion may cause cryptosporidiosis, an abdominal infection causing nausea, diarrhea, and cramps. While most healthy individuals recover within weeks, those with compromised immune systems face greater risk of severe illness.

.. ...