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Community Water System · PWS IA5751035

Marion Municipal Water Dept

Marion, Iowa 52302 - drinking water served from groundwater sources to 41,623 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.

41,623
People served
36
EPA violations
10
Health-based
No PFAS
UCMR5 result

The verdict

EPA records 36 drinking-water violations at Marion Municipal Water Dept, 28% of them health-based - below the Iowa per-system average.

36
Total EPA violations on record
28%
Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
41,623
People served by this system
0
PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)

Water Quality Snapshot: Marion Municipal Water Dept

Marion Municipal Water Dept is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 41,623 residents in Marion, Iowa (Linn County) through 15,383 service connections. Its water is drawn from groundwater sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 36 total violations for this system , of which 10 (28%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 18 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2015.

The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Nitrate, recorded in 8 violations (MR). This system was sampled under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program and no PFAS compounds were detected above the minimum reporting level.

Across Iowa, EPA tracks 1,795 public water systems serving 3,114,444 people, with 138,271 cumulative violations and 27,946 health-based violations on record. About 95% of systems in the state carry at least one violation, and state-wide the average per system is 77 violations. Statewide, 127 of 152 UCMR5-tested systems have reported PFAS detections (83.6%).

Marion Municipal Water Dept's 36 violations sit below the Iowa average.

All figures above are sourced directly from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 public data releases and are updated as EPA publishes new reporting cycles.

Population Served
41,623
Total Violations
36
Health-Based Violations
10
Water Source
Groundwater

System Details

System Type
Community
Owner Type
Local
Connections
15,383
County
Linn
School/Daycare
No
MCL Violations
10
Monitoring Violations
18
Treatment Tech Violations
0

Violation History

Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.

Contaminant Category Count Latest
Nitrate MR 8 1999
Coliform (TCR) MCL 6 2003
Coliform (TCR) MR 6 2002
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MCL 4 2015
Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 4 2012

PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)

Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 0 of 232 samples detected PFAS.

Contaminant Date Result MRL Status
PFEESA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
NEtFOSAA 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTA 7/9/2024 <8.00 ppt 8.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/9/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/9/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMBA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeS 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFTrDA 7/9/2024 <7.00 ppt 7.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
6:2 FTS 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFMPA 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
4:2 FTS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBA 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
HFPO-DA 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
ADONA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
9Cl-PF3ONS 7/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
11Cl-PF3OUdS 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFUnA 7/9/2024 <2.00 ppt 2.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFDoA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFPeA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NFDHA 7/9/2024 <20.00 ppt 20.00 ppt Not Detected
8:2 FTS 7/9/2024 <5.00 ppt 5.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOA 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFOS 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFNA 7/9/2024 <4.00 ppt 4.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHxS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFHpA 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
PFBS 7/9/2024 <3.00 ppt 3.00 ppt Not Detected
NMeFOSAA 7/9/2024 <6.00 ppt 6.00 ppt Not Detected

Verify This Water System

The figures above are aggregated from EPA's public databases. To verify the underlying records, or to file a complaint, request a Consumer Confidence Report, or check current monitoring status, go directly to the federal and state regulators that enforce the Safe Drinking Water Act for Marion Municipal Water Dept.

Federal Source of Truth

EPA SDWIS, Federal Reports

EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) holds the federal compliance record for every regulated public water system. Open the system-level report by PWS ID:

View PWS ID IA5751035 on SDWIS

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search

State Regulator

Iowa Drinking Water Authority

Iowa's primacy agency administers the Safe Drinking Water Act locally. Search EPA SDWIS for the current state contact, or use the state's public health or environment department portal.

Find IA regulator via EPA SDWIS

Violation Timeline

Each row links to the EPA SDWIS public record for verification. Cross-reference the contaminant code on EPA's federal report to see violation dates, return-to-compliance status, and enforcement actions.

Year (latest) Contaminant Category Count EPA Record
2015 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MCL 4 SDWIS / IA5751035 / 4010
2012 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) MR 4 SDWIS / IA5751035 / 4010
2003 Coliform (TCR) MCL 6 SDWIS / IA5751035 / 3100
2002 Coliform (TCR) MR 6 SDWIS / IA5751035 / 3100
1999 Nitrate MR 8 SDWIS / IA5751035 / 1040

How Marion Municipal Water Dept Compares

Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.

Metric Marion Municipal Water Dept Iowa avg Federal benchmark
Total violations 36 77 SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach
Health-based violations 10 15.6 Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL
PFAS detection None 83.6% EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt
Population served 41,623 1,735 Sizing context for compliance burden

Sources: EPA SDWIS and EPA National Primary Drinking Water Regulations (40 CFR Part 141). State averages computed across 1,795 regulated public water systems in Iowa.

Federal MCL reference, Safe Drinking Water Act thresholds
Contaminant Federal MCL / Action Level Note
Lead 0 mg/L (Action Level: 0.015 mg/L) Lead and Copper Rule treatment technique
Arsenic 0.010 mg/L (10 ppb) Health-based MCL since 2006
Total Coliform Treatment technique (RTCR) Indicator organism, monitoring trigger
PFOA / PFOS (PFAS) 4.0 ppt each (final 2024 rule) Compliance deadline 2029 (EPA proposed extending to 2031, not yet final as of May 2026)
Nitrate (as N) 10 mg/L Acute health risk for infants

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Marion Municipal Water Dept water safe to drink?
Marion Municipal Water Dept (PWS ID: IA5751035) has 36 recorded violations in the EPA SDWIS database. No PFAS contamination was detected in UCMR5 testing. This system serves 41,623 people using Groundwater sources.
How many people does Marion Municipal Water Dept serve?
Marion Municipal Water Dept serves 41,623 people in Marion, Iowa. It is a Local-owned system using Groundwater water sources with 15,383 service connections.
What type of violations does Marion Municipal Water Dept have?
Marion Municipal Water Dept has 36 total violations: 10 health-based violations (MCL exceedances or treatment failures), 18 monitoring/reporting violations, and 0 treatment technique violations. Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeded EPA safe limits.
Has PFAS been detected in Marion Municipal Water Dept water?
No. Marion Municipal Water Dept was tested for PFAS under the EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program and no PFAS contamination was detected.
What water source does Marion Municipal Water Dept use?
Marion Municipal Water Dept uses Groundwater as its primary water source. It is classified as a Community Water System (CWS), serving residential populations year-round.
Where does this data come from?
All data comes from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and the UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program. SDWIS tracks compliance for all public water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
Data Sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), Q4 2025. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 monitoring program (2023-2025). This data is provided for informational purposes only.
Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 PFAS monitoring data. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainWater Editorial

Every figure on PlainWater is rendered directly from EPA SDWIS drinking-water data, no number is typed in by an editor. This system's figures are rendered directly from EPA SDWIS data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.