Ankeny, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
2 ZIP codes · 7 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Ankeny: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Safe water is the norm across most of Ankeny, IA - but documented violations push the city to the middle safety tier.
How Ankeny Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Ankeny Residents
- Average lead level: 0.006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 25% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.97.
Ankeny's Water Providers
7 water systems are tracked federally in Ankeny, IA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Ankeny, Iowa (population ~75,004), covering 7 community water systems serving approximately 333,605 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Ankeny: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Ankeny water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50021 | C | City of Ankeny, | 76,207 |
| 50023 | C | City of Ankeny, | 76,207 |
All ZIP Codes in Ankeny
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.
Ankeny 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
Ankeny Infrastructure Age
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Ankeny has a newer housing profile - median build year 2006, placing most homes after the 1986 lead-solder ban.
Most homes in Ankeny 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 Ankeny
In Ankeny, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity - the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.
Remediation costs in Ankeny 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 99% above the Iowa average.
Ankeny: 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.
Even with citywide samples reading clean and just 25% of Ankeny homes dating to the pre-rule era, individual-faucet conditions remain a separate question that aggregate utility data cannot resolve for one specific address. That gap is structural, not a function of severity.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Ankeny: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Ankeny contains 31 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $16,782. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% 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>$2,400</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.
What You Can Do in Ankeny
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Ankeny, IA