Cedar Falls, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100
2 ZIP codes · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Cedar Falls: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
For residents of Cedar Falls, IA, a C is a prompt to look up the report for their own ZIP code rather than a verdict on their tap.
How Cedar Falls Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Cedar Falls Water
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0046 mg/L.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.27.
Who Supplies Your Water in Cedar Falls
Service in Cedar Falls, IA can differ by address: 3 water systems are tied to the area in federal records, and the 3 largest are listed with their violation records.
- C
- C
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Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Cedar Falls, Iowa (population ~43,680), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 111,486 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 2 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cedar Falls: 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
Cedar Falls water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0046 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
2 of 2 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50613 | C | Cedar Falls Municipal Water Utilities | 40,713 |
All ZIP Codes in Cedar Falls
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.
Health Outcomes in Cedar Falls
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Cedar Falls
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Available area-level lead records for Cedar Falls do not determine the lead level at an individual tap. 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 NFIP Claim Context in Cedar Falls
Historical NFIP data for Cedar Falls contains 781 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $26,147. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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.
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 Cedar Falls
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- 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 Cedar Falls, IA