Yes, at low levels. 1 PFAS was detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA.
Wapello Rural Water Assoc. is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Ottumwa, Iowa, serving about 17,263 people, including Keswick, What Cheer, Harper, Kalona, Keota, North English. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 7 times across 3 sampling points between Feb 2024 and Dec 2024.
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
1 of 7 | 5.0 ppt | 1.7 ppt | none |
Not detected: PFEESA, 9Cl-PF3ONS, ADONA, HFPO-DA, 6:2 FTS, 4:2 FTS, 8:2 FTS, PFMPA, PFMBA, PFPeS, NFDHA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, PFPeA, NMeFOSAA, PFUnA, PFHpS, PFTA, NEtFOSAA, PFBS, PFHpA, PFHxS, PFNA, PFOS, PFOA, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHxA, PFTrDA.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 420 ppb, detected in 3 of 8 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
All 152 tested systems in Iowa
50136 50268 52231 52247 52248 52316 52335 52353 52355 52356 52359 52501 52533 52536 52537 52540 52543 52548 52550 52552 52553 52554 52556 52557 52560 52561 52563 52566 52576 52580 52585 52586 52588 52591 52621 52635 52641 52649 52654
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Wapello Rural Water Assoc. water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID IA9000742. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/iowa/wapello-rural-water-assoc/
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID IA9000742). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.
