Auburn, IA: High Radon Risk — 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Auburn, EPA compliance data for IA sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Auburn Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Auburn Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0024 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 96% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.45 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Auburn
Federal records list 1 water system serving Auburn, IA. One provider accounts for the large majority of residential water connections in the area, concentrating infrastructure and compliance accountability.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Auburn, Iowa, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 567 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Auburn — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Auburn: C (66/100)
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
Auburn water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0024 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51433 | C | Auburn Water Supply | 265 |
All ZIP Codes in Auburn
- 51433 [C]
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.
CDC Health Data for Auburn
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
How Old Is Auburn's Housing Stock?
With 96% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Auburn — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1901 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Auburn were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Auburn: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Across Auburn, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small — a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Auburn are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 12% below the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Auburn
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Auburn have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 96% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Auburn
- 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. With 96% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Auburn, IA