Inspections of the City of Decorah's water system quality give passing grades

The results of the latest tests of drinking water in the City of Decorah show the water meets all quality standards.

Water samples were taken at six pumps throughout the city, as well as in other locations.  The results are measured against "MCLs"--Maximum Contaminant Levels--or the highest levels of a contaminent which is allowed in drinking water.

The report notes, "Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants.  The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk."

For Decorah's water, an important indication is the presence of nitrates which come from runoff from fertilizer use, leaching from septic tanks or sewage and erosion of natural deposits.  Of the six functioning City of Decorah pumping stations, the nitrate levels at the Water Street Pump House was the highest--6.8 parts per million of nitrate, with 10.0 being the maximum level allowed.  Nitrate levels ranged from 3.7 ppm to 6.8 ppm at the test sites.

For a complete copy of the 2019 Water Quality Report, click on the link below.