Community Water System · PWS IA5903011
Chariton Municipal Water Works
Chariton, Iowa 50049 - drinking water served from surface water sources to 4,381 people, tracked in EPA SDWIS and UCMR5.
- 4,381
- People served
- 590
- EPA violations
- 375
- Health-based
- 1 PFAS
- UCMR5 result
The verdict
EPA records 590 drinking-water violations at Chariton Municipal Water Works, 64% of them health-based - above the Iowa per-system average, and UCMR5 testing detected 1 PFAS compound.
- 590
- Total EPA violations on record
- 64%
- Health-based (MCL / treatment failure)
- 4,381
- People served by this system
- 1
- PFAS compounds detected (UCMR5)
Water Quality Snapshot: Chariton Municipal Water Works
Chariton Municipal Water Works is a local-owned community water system that delivers drinking water to 4,381 residents in Chariton, Iowa (Lucas County) through 1,994 service connections. Its water is drawn from surface water sources. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Information System records 590 total violations for this system , of which 375 (64%) are health-based, meaning a contaminant exceeded an EPA Maximum Contaminant Level or a required treatment technique failed. A further 113 monitoring and reporting violations are on file. The most recent violation on record dates to 2018.
The most frequently cited contaminant at this system is Surface Water Treatment Rule, recorded in 161 violations (TT, health-based). Under EPA's UCMR5 PFAS monitoring program, 1 PFAS compound was detected in samples collected from this system, with a maximum reported concentration of 13 ppt (parts per trillion). PFAS are persistent synthetic chemicals linked to health effects at very low exposure levels.
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%).
Chariton Municipal Water Works's 590 violations sit above 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.
1 PFAS "forever chemicals" detected in testing under EPA's UCMR5 monitoring program.
System Details
- System Type
- Community
- Owner Type
- Local
- Connections
- 1,994
- County
- Lucas
- School/Daycare
- No
- MCL Violations
- 114
- Monitoring Violations
- 113
- Treatment Tech Violations
- 261
Violation History
Contaminant violations recorded by EPA.
| Contaminant | Category | Count | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 161 | 2017 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 88 | 2016 |
| TTHM | MCL | 63 | 2008 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL | 47 | 2015 |
| Public Notice | Other | 18 | 2017 |
| Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule | TT | 12 | 2015 |
| Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | MR | 7 | 2014 |
| cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Xylenes, Total | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| o-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| p-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Vinyl chloride | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| 1,1-Dichloroethylene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| 1,2-Dichloroethane | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| 1,1,1-Trichloroethane | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Carbon tetrachloride | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| 1,2-Dichloropropane | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Trichloroethylene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Tetrachloroethylene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| CHLOROBENZENE | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Benzene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Toluene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Styrene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| TTHM | MR | 4 | 2013 |
| Atrazine | MCL | 4 | 1999 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MR | 4 | 2013 |
| trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| 1,1,2-Trichloroethane | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
| Ethylbenzene | MR | 4 | 2003 |
PFAS Testing Results (UCMR5)
Results from EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule. 4 of 116 samples detected PFAS.
| Contaminant | Date | Result | MRL | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFMPA | 7/8/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 7/8/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 7/8/2025 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 7/8/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 7/8/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFTrDA | 7/8/2025 | <7.00 ppt | 7.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 7/8/2025 | 13.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFTA | 7/8/2025 | <8.00 ppt | 8.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NMeFOSAA | 7/8/2025 | <6.00 ppt | 6.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 7/8/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 7/8/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 7/8/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDoA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 7/8/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | 7/8/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | 7/8/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NEtFOSAA | 7/8/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 7/8/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| ADONA | 7/8/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| NFDHA | 4/15/2025 | <20.00 ppt | 20.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBA | 4/15/2025 | 6.20 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Detected |
| PFDoA | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 6:2 FTS | 4/15/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFDA | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 4:2 FTS | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| 8:2 FTS | 4/15/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMPA | 4/15/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeA | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFPeS | 4/15/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFEESA | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpA | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| HFPO-DA | 4/15/2025 | <5.00 ppt | 5.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOA | 4/15/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFUnA | 4/15/2025 | <2.00 ppt | 2.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHpS | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFOS | 4/15/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFNA | 4/15/2025 | <4.00 ppt | 4.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFHxS | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFBS | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 ppt | Not Detected |
| PFMBA | 4/15/2025 | <3.00 ppt | 3.00 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 Chariton Municipal Water Works.
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 IA5903011 on SDWISSource: EPA SDWIS Federal Reports Search
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 SDWISViolation 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Nitrite | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 1041 |
| 2017 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 161 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 0200 |
| 2017 | Public Notice | Other | 18 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 7500 |
| 2016 | Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | TT | 88 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 0300 |
| 2015 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MCL | 47 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2456 |
| 2015 | Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule | TT | 12 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 0400 |
| 2014 | Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule | MR | 7 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 0300 |
| 2013 | TTHM | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2950 |
| 2013 | Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2456 |
| 2008 | TTHM | MCL | 63 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2950 |
| 2003 | cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2380 |
| 2003 | Xylenes, Total | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2955 |
| 2003 | o-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2968 |
| 2003 | p-Dichlorobenzene | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2969 |
| 2003 | Vinyl chloride | MR | 4 | SDWIS / IA5903011 / 2976 |
How Chariton Municipal Water Works Compares
Cross-reference this system's record against state averages and the federal MCL framework for context.
| Metric | Chariton Municipal Water Works | Iowa avg | Federal benchmark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total violations | 590 | 77 | SDWA compliance, any non-zero count is a recorded breach |
| Health-based violations | 375 | 15.6 | Indicates a contaminant exceeded a federal MCL |
| PFAS detection | 1 compound | 83.6% | EPA final rule (2024): PFOA/PFOS MCL = 4.0 ppt |
| Population served | 4,381 | 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 Chariton Municipal Water Works water safe to drink? ▼
How many people does Chariton Municipal Water Works serve? ▼
What type of violations does Chariton Municipal Water Works have? ▼
Has PFAS been detected in Chariton Municipal Water Works water? ▼
What water source does Chariton Municipal Water Works use? ▼
Where does this data come from? ▼
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
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.