Iowa · population 22,598
Lead pipes in Altoona, IA
70 lines still unidentified
Most of Altoona (population 22,598) gets its water from Altoona Water Supply. It reported no confirmed lead service lines, but 70 of 6,893 lines are still listed as unknown material, so lead hasn't been ruled out.
0% of Altoona Water Supply's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Iowa average (5.6%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 1.0%
- Non-lead 99%
Latest lead test for Altoona Water Supply (Jan 2023–Dec 2025): 5.6 ppb at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Altoona Water Supply.
Water systems serving Altoona
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Altoona Water SupplyMain system | 0 | 0 | 70 | 0% |
| Des Moines Water WorksAlso serves parts of the city | 8,114 | 10 | 45,950 | 9.0% |
| Southeast Polk RWDAlso serves parts of the city | 3 | 0 | 1,238 | <0.1% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Altoona
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Altoona Water Supply's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Bondurantno lead reported
- Pleasant Hill8,124 lead + galv. lines
- Mitchellville1 lead + galv. lines
- Ankeny6,630 lead + galv. lines
- Carlisle11 unknown
- Elkhart8,124 lead + galv. lines
- Windsor Heights1 unknown
- Colfax101 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Altoona, IA have lead pipes?
None are confirmed, but Altoona Water Supply still lists 70 service lines as unknown material.
Who supplies water to Altoona?
EPA's service area maps place most of Altoona in Altoona Water Supply's service area (PWSID IA7707030). Des Moines Water Works, Southeast Polk RWD also serve parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Altoona home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Altoona Water Supply's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Altoona be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Altoona Water Supply whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.