52649
Salem, IA
Henry County
RATHBUN REG WATER ASSN (FT MADISON)
Is Salem tap water safe to drink?
Source: Official EPA UCMR5 federal monitoring data. Last tested September 2025.
Townships:
- Jackson, IA
- Marion, IA
- Cedar, IA
Neighborhood:
- Salem
The short answer for Salem
Salem tap water has 3 contaminants above EPA guidelines, including lithium at 42.0× the limit (tested August 2024). See the full compound-by-compound breakdown and filter recommendations.
The health risk for Salem
lithium has been detected above EPA limits in this water system's recent tests. A certified filter designed for this contaminant type is strongly recommended.
- lithium, PFPeA above limit.
lithium concentration (µg/L)
August 2024
0 µg/L
10 µg/L
500 µg/L
420.000 µg/L
Detected
µg/L
10 µg/L
EPA limit
guideline
4100% above limit
Comparison
vs. guideline
EPA limit: 10 µg/L | Your water: 420.000 µg/L
Certified Filters for Salem Tap Water
lithium was detected above EPA limits. These filters are independently certified to reduce common drinking-water contaminants.
Pitcher filter
Epic Pure XP Water Filter Pitcher
NSF-certified dual-layer filtration reduces 70+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, chlorine, microplastics, and bacteria.
NSF/ANSI 42, 53, 401 & P473Removes 99.99% PFASMade in USABPA-free
PFAS detected in 52649 · What you can do
Here's what actually removes PFAS from your water
The right filter eliminates PFAS at the tap. But not all filters do - and the type you choose matters for your home.
Common pitchers like Brita do not remove PFAS. You need a filter independently certified to NSF P473 (for pitcher filters) or NSF/ANSI 58 (for reverse osmosis systems). All three options below carry the relevant certification.
Certified PFAS filter types - how they differ
Certified Pitcher
Removes PFAS (99%+)
No installation, works today
Lowest upfront cost (~$70)
Must refill manually
Filters only what you pour in - not cooking water
Reverse Osmosis More complete
Removes PFAS + lead, arsenic, nitrates & more
Always-on - no refilling ever
Noticeably better tasting water
Filters drinking & cooking water automatically
Higher upfront cost ($200-$400)
Choose your option
Most elevated compounds
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium Tested: August 2024 · Rathbun Intertie |
420.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | 4100% above limit |
| PFPeA Tested: September 2025 · RATHBUN REG WTR ASSN (BURLINGTON) |
0.013 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | 333% above limit |
| lithium Tested: September 2024 · Sampling Station @ Booster 43 |
14.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | 40% above limit |
| 4:2 FTS Tested: June 2024 · Sampling Station @ Booster 34 |
0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | 100% of limit |
| 8:2 FTS Tested: August 2024 · Treatment Plant |
0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | 100% of limit |
View all tested compounds
Rathbun Intertie · Tested: August 2024
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium | 420.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | 4100% above limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBA | <0.005 µg/L | 6 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFPeA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
RATHBUN REG WTR ASSN (BURLINGTON) · Tested: September 2025
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| PFPeA | 0.013 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | 333% above limit |
| lithium | 9.200 µg/L | 10 µg/L | 92% of limit |
| PFBA | 0.032 µg/L | 6 µg/L | 0.5% of limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
Sampling Station @ Booster 43 · Tested: September 2024
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium | 14.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | 40% above limit |
| PFBA | 0.011 µg/L | 6 µg/L | 0.2% of limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFPeA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
CLARK COUNTY CONS PWSD 1 · Tested: Multiple dates
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium | <9.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBA | <0.005 µg/L | 6 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFPeA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
Sampling Station @ Booster 34 · Tested: June 2024
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4:2 FTS | 0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | 100% of limit |
| lithium | <9.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBA | <0.005 µg/L | 6 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFPeA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
South Rathbun Intertie · Tested: Multiple dates
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| lithium | <9.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBA | <0.005 µg/L | 6 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFPeA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
Treatment Plant · Tested: August 2024
| Compound | Measurement | EPA Limit | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8:2 FTS | 0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | 100% of limit |
| lithium | 10.000 µg/L | 10 µg/L | 100% of limit |
| PFHxS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| HFPO-DA | <0.005 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFNA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.01 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHxA | <0.003 µg/L | 3 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBA | <0.005 µg/L | 6 µg/L | Below limit |
| 11Cl-PF3OUdS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 4:2 FTS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| 6:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 8:2 FTS | <0.005 µg/L | 0.005 µg/L | Below limit |
| 9Cl-PF3ONS | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
| ADONA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFBS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFDoA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFHpS | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOA | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFOS | <0.004 µg/L | 0.004 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFPeA | <0.003 µg/L | 0.003 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFTrDA | <0.007 µg/L | 0.007 µg/L | Below limit |
| PFUnA | <0.002 µg/L | 0.002 µg/L | Below limit |
Water utilities serving ZIP 52649
Service area boundaries are approximate and based on state filings or modeled estimates. Contact your utility to confirm exact service at a specific address.
- RATHBUN REG WATER ASSN (FT MADISON)Action advised
- RATHBUN REG WTR ASSN (BURLINGTON)Action advised
- WAPELLO RURAL WATER ASSOC.Action advised
- CLARK COUNTY CONS PWSD 1Looks OK
Modeled boundaries are shown with a dashed outline. Outlines appear when service-area boundary data is available for this ZIP.
Frequently Asked Questions about ZIP 52649 Tap Water
What contaminants are above EPA limits in ZIP 52649?
ZIP 52649 has 3 contaminants above EPA health guidelines in the latest available data, including lithium at 42.0x the EPA guideline. The full table on this page lists every tested compound and its measured level.
Will boiling ZIP 52649 tap water remove lithium?
No. Boiling tap water does not remove lithium. Lithium is a dissolved mineral, so heat does not break it down and evaporation can actually concentrate it. Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) is the most reliable at-home option for reducing lithium.
Do basic pitcher filters remove lithium?
Standard pitcher filters are not certified to reduce lithium. Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) is the most widely available home option for reducing lithium in drinking water.
Who provides tap water in ZIP 52649?
Public records identify RATHBUN REG WATER ASSN (FT MADISON) as a primary water system associated with ZIP 52649. Service boundaries can vary by address, so confirm exact service with the utility.
When was ZIP 52649 tap water last tested?
The most recent test date used in this report is September 2025. EnviroClarity last refreshed this page on 2026-05-05.
Where can I find the official water quality report for ZIP 52649?
Every U.S. public water system is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Contact RATHBUN REG WATER ASSN (FT MADISON) or visit their website for the latest official report covering ZIP 52649. The EPA also maintains a national CCR locator.
Check another ZIP code
Nearby ZIP reports
Data reflects publicly reported utility records from EPA datasets and local utility disclosures. This information is educational and not medical advice.