Ames, IA: 1 Health Violation - Home Safety Score unavailable
5 ZIP codes · 6 water systems · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Ames Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.24.
Water Systems Serving Ames
Ames, IA draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 6 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track home safety data for 5 ZIP codes in Ames, Iowa (population ~71,055), covering 6 community water systems serving approximately 109,242 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 4 of 5 ZIP codes.
4 of 4 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation appear in the available health breakdown.
Water Sources
Ames water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 4 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 5 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Inorganic | 5 | 4 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 5 | 4 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | 2 |
| Contaminant 2257 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50014 | — | 5 | 1 | Ames Water Treatment Plant |
| 50010 | — | 4 | 0 | Ames Water Treatment Plant |
| 50012 | — | 2 | 0 | ISU |
| 50013 | — | 2 | 0 | Ames Water Treatment Plant |
All ZIP Codes in Ames
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Ames
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Ames
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Ames: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Within the Ames market, estimated remediation claims a small portion of typical property equity - the financial burden is proportionally low.
Remediation costs in Ames are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,560–$3,160 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 90% above the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Ames
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.
Lead risk in Ames appears low overall, but individual homes may differ. Testing is the only way to confirm your water's lead content.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Ames
Historical NFIP data for Ames contains 205 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $67,906. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 67% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,300</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ames, IA