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City water profile

Ames water quality

Compare local ZIP estimates, evidence quality, associated public systems, and compliance history for Ames, Iowa.

Median indexed hardness

317PPM

4 indexed ZIPs

Range 293–321 PPM

State comparison
36 PPM above
State hardness rank
#223 of 683
Matched utilities
4
Active health records
0

City summary

What the indexed records say

Ames has 4 published ZIP profiles across Story County. The indexed median is 317 PPM, compared with 281 PPM across Iowa.

Among the 683 Iowacities with an indexed median, Ames ranks #223from highest to lowest. Across all 723 state ZIP profiles, available estimates run from 182to 834 PPM.

The 293–321 PPM range shows how much the available ZIP estimates vary within the city label.

Hardness distribution

How local ZIP estimates compare

Soft0 ZIPs
Moderately hard0 ZIPs
Hard0 ZIPs
Very hard4 ZIPs

4 of 4 ZIP profiles have a hardness estimate. Bars count ZIP profiles, not households or laboratory samples.

Evidence quality

Distance, dates, and confidence

Median nearest distance
11.3 miles
Profiles with evidence
4/4

Confidence labels

High: 0Moderate: 4Low: 0

Observation window: Jun 13, 2017 to Aug 1, 2024.

ZIP directory

Water reports in Ames

Open a ZIP for site-level provenance and measurements.

ZIP code

50010

Very Hard

293 PPM

Nearest site
11.4 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

50012

Very Hard

317 PPM

Nearest site
10.3 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

50013

Very Hard

317 PPM

Nearest site
9.2 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

ZIP code

50014

Very Hard

321 PPM

Nearest site
11.3 mi
Confidence
Moderate

View full ZIP evidence →

Public water systems

Utilities associated with this city

Ames Water Treatment Plant

PWSID IA8503039

Groundwater
System population served
55,177
Last reported
Jun 17, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Isu

PWSID IA8503528

Groundwater
System population served
42,000
Last reported
Jun 17, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Maple Grove Mhc

PWSID IA0800601

Groundwater influenced by surface water
System population served
160
Last reported
Jun 17, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Squaw Valley South Subdivision

PWSID IA8503305

Groundwater influenced by surface water
System population served
105
Last reported
Jun 17, 2026

The system names this served city; Census place overlap links the city to this ZCTA.

Compliance history

What EPA records show

No active health-based violation appears among the associated systems in the represented EPA reporting quarter. This does not mean every contaminant was tested at every tap.

RecordSystemPeriodStatus
Revised Total Coliform RuleIA8503039Sep 1, 2025Resolved
NitriteIA8503528Oct 1, 2022Resolved

Practical next steps

Move from index to evidence

  1. 1. Open your ZIP. Check distance, dates, confidence, and the associated utility.
  2. 2. Read the current CCR. Confirm source water, detections, limits, ranges, and notices.
  3. 3. Test the tap when needed. Confirm health concerns or treatment sizing with the right method.

Questions people ask

About water in Ames

Is the water hard?

The indexed city median is 317 PPM. Open the ZIP report to verify the distance and confidence behind that estimate.

Is the tap water safe?

Compliance history is utility-wide and cannot guarantee conditions at every tap. Check current notices and test when address-specific evidence is needed.

Do I need treatment?

Choose treatment only after confirming the problem at the property. A softener targets hardness; contaminant treatment requires a matching, verified performance claim.