Scott County, Iowa: drinking water report. Scott County in eastern Iowa has a population of about 174,000, centered on Davenport – part of the Quad Cities…
Scott County in eastern Iowa has a population of about 174,000, centered on Davenport – part of the Quad Cities metro area straddling the Mississippi River. Iowa American Water serves the city, drawing from the Mississippi River and alluvial wells along the river corridor. The Mississippi at this point has traveled past Minneapolis, industrial zones in Illinois, and hundreds of miles of agricultural land.
The Mississippi River at Davenport carries a mix of agricultural, industrial, and municipal contaminants from the entire Upper Mississippi watershed. According to the USGS Upper Mississippi River monitoring program, atrazine, nitrate, and emerging contaminants including pharmaceuticals have been detected at the Davenport monitoring station. During spring 2024, nitrate in the river exceeded 7 mg/L for several weeks – below the MCL but trending upward over the past decade.
The EPA's UCMR5 data shows PFAS detections in the Davenport system. The former Rock Island Arsenal (in neighboring Rock Island County, IL) has historical AFFF use that could contribute to regional groundwater PFAS levels. A 2024 Iowa DNR assessment documented PFAS at low levels in the treated water supply.
Davenport's Mississippi River intake receives everything the Upper Midwest sends downstream. The treatment system handles it, but the source water is inherently more challenging than a protected reservoir.
Check your water for data on your area. For the mix of agricultural and industrial contaminants in Mississippi River water, a reverse osmosis system at the kitchen tap provides the broadest household protection. Our water filter guide covers systems for river-sourced water. Pull your detailed report for seasonal data, and visit our Iowa page for statewide context.