Belle Plaine, IA: 21 Violations — 44/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Belle Plaine, IA tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Belle Plaine Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Belle Plaine Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 21 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0098 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 84% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.66 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Belle Plaine
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Belle Plaine, IA. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Belle Plaine, Iowa, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 2,921 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Belle Plaine: D (44/100)
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
Belle Plaine water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0098 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Inorganic | 8 | 1 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 8 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 6 | 1 |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52208 | D | 21 | 0 | Belle Plaine Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Belle Plaine
- 52208 [D] — 21 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.
Health Outcomes in Belle Plaine
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
Top Contaminants in Belle Plaine Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Belle Plaine
With 84% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones — the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 — define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1959, Belle Plaine falls squarely within the older range — meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Belle Plaine 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Belle Plaine Homeowners
In Belle Plaine, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is elevated enough that homeowners who identify documented issues early have an advantage — understanding the scope, sequencing by urgency, and phasing the work against household budget capacity are the practical levers that determine whether remediation feels manageable or overwhelming at this equity tier.
At 2.0% of home value, remediation costs in Belle Plaine represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 27% below the Iowa average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Belle Plaine
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 Belle Plaine have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 84% 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.
Flood & Climate Risk in Belle Plaine
100% of ZIP codes in Belle Plaine are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 2 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Belle Plaine has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $2,067 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 Belle Plaine
- 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 Copper can reduce the most common contaminant found in Belle Plaine's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 84% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Belle Plaine, IA