June 15, 2026
Council Bluffs, IA Water Quality Report 2026
Unlock the full breakdown — detected levels vs. legal limits, plus what removes each one.
Full contaminant breakdown
EPA Six-Year Review compliance monitoring, 2012–2019 — the most recent national compliance dataset EPA has published. See the sections above for more recent violation and PFAS records.
| Contaminant | Avg. detected | Highest sample | Federal limit | Avg. vs. limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DEHP (phthalate)EPA health goal: zero | 3.9 ppb | 3.9 ppb | 6 ppb | 65% |
| Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) | 40.1 ppb | 92 ppb | 80 ppb | 50% |
| Nitrate | 2660 ppb | 7200 ppb | 10000 ppb | 27% |
| Haloacetic acids (HAA5) | 16.3 ppb | 49 ppb | 60 ppb | 27% |
| LeadEPA health goal: zero | 3.75 ppb | 110 ppb | 15 ppb (action level) | 25% |
| Chlorite | 162 ppb | 260 ppb | 1000 ppb | 16% |
| Fluoride | 655 ppb | 660 ppb | 4000 ppb | 16% |
| Copper | 45.5 ppb | 780 ppb | 1300 ppb (action level) | 4% |
| Barium | 60 ppb | 60 ppb | 2000 ppb | 3% |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | 0.7 ppb | 1 ppb | 75 ppb | 1% |
| Toluene | 0.8 ppb | 0.8 ppb | 1000 ppb | <1% |
Also tested, no detections: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, Alachlor, Antimony, Arsenic, Asbestos, Atrazine, Benzene, Benzo(a)pyrene, Cadmium, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlorobenzene, Chromium (total), DEHA (adipate), Dalapon, Dichloromethane, Dinoseb, Diquat, Ethylbenzene, Glyphosate, Mercury (inorganic), Nitrite, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Radium (combined), Selenium, Simazine, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Thallium, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, o-Dichlorobenzene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene.
Reverse osmosis (drinking water)
The treatment category most often matched to dissolved contaminants like lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, and radiological contaminants detected in this system.
Shop reverse osmosis →Whole-house carbon filtration
The treatment category most often matched to disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, haloacetic acids), chlorine taste and odor, and organic compounds detected in this system.
Shop whole-house systems →Source: U.S. EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data (2012–2019), the most recent nationwide compliance dataset EPA has released, reported at the water-system level. A detection is not a violation. “Avg. vs. limit” compares the average of laboratory detections to the federal MCL or action level; individual faucets can differ — household plumbing affects lead and copper, and a state-certified laboratory test of your own tap is the only way to confirm levels in your home. Treatment categories are general matches, not a certification claim for a specific product and contaminant.
Water Utility: Council Bluffs Water Works
Population Served: 64,447 residents
Data Sources: EPA SDWIS + EPA UCMR5
Report Year: 2026
Council Bluffs, Iowa drinking water is supplied by Council Bluffs Water Works. All US public water systems must test drinking water and report results to the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This report summarizes health-based violations and PFAS detections recorded in federal databases to help you make informed decisions about home water filtration.
EPA Violation History
No health-based EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) violations on record since 2010 for this utility.
Should You Filter Your Council Bluffs Water?
Even utilities with no EPA violations may have contaminants present below legal limits but above health guidelines. The EPA sets maximum contaminant levels based on what is feasible and affordable to treat at scale -- not necessarily what carries zero health risk. Many independent health organizations recommend filtration for households with children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals regardless of utility compliance status.
Protect Your Council Bluffs Home Water
PureWaterGuys.com carries filtration systems engineered to address the most common contaminants in US tap water. We ship to all Iowa addresses with free expert guidance on the right system.
Shop Water Filtration Systems →Take the Water QuizFilters for Council Bluffs, IA Water Issues
Based on contaminants detected in this report, these systems are worth considering:
NSF-certified filters proven to remove PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and 200+ contaminants.
Shop PFAS / Forever Chemicals Filters →
Reverse osmosis systems that reduce nitrates to safe levels.
Shop Nitrates / Nitrites Filters →
Whole-house carbon filters that eliminate chlorine taste, odor, and DBPs.
Shop Chlorine / Disinfection Byproducts Filters →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Council Bluffs tap water safe to drink?
Council Bluffs Water Works is required to meet EPA federal drinking water standards. However, meeting legal standards is not the same as being contaminant-free. Trace levels of disinfection byproducts, PFAS compounds, and other regulated contaminants are common in US municipal water systems.
Does Council Bluffs water have PFAS?
PFAS monitoring data for this utility may not yet be published in EPA databases. We recommend a reverse osmosis system for maximum protection regardless of local results.
What water filter works best for Council Bluffs?
A whole-house carbon block filter removes chlorine, chloramines, and many VOCs. For PFAS, arsenic, and nitrates, a reverse osmosis under-sink system provides the highest reduction rates. Take our free 2-minute quiz to find the right system for your home and budget.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 federal databases. PureWaterGuys.com is not affiliated with any municipal water utility. Contact your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for complete local data.