Adel, IA: 7 Violations — 59/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Compliance figures for Adel indicate average water quality in IA overall — some service areas have recorded health-based violations in recent monitoring cycles, while others operate cleanly, making system-level data the most actionable reference point for residents.
How Adel Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Adel Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 7 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0017 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 43% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.65.
Adel's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Adel, IA are served by 3 primary water providers out of 5 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Adel, Iowa (population ~9,536), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 23,256 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Adel: C (59/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Adel water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0017 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 4 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1032 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50003 | C | 7 | 0 | Adel Municipal Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Adel
- 50003 [C] — 7 violations
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Adel Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
What's in Adel's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Adel Infrastructure Age
With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Tap water lead levels are shaped by two factors: what the utility delivers, and what the household plumbing adds to it. Older homes contribute disproportionately to that second variable because lead solder was standard in copper plumbing before 1986, and lead pipes were common before 1970. In Adel, where the median build year is 1995, a substantial share of the housing stock falls into these older categories. The bar chart above breaks out the pre-1970, 1970-to-1986, and post-1986 segments — the key ages for understanding where plumbing-era risk concentrates across the city.
Most homes in Adel were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Adel
Within the Adel market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity — the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Adel are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 131% above the Iowa average.
Adel: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Practically, the structural drivers in Adel — 43% pre-rule stock and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory benchmark — make an in-home draw the practical way to translate aggregate averages into the specific conditions at one address.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Adel: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
FEMA data shows 100% of Adel's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 17 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Adel has a moderate flood history with 17 FEMA claims averaging $8,750 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Adel
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Surface Water Treatment Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Adel's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 43% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Adel, IA