Cedar Rapids, IA: 28 Health Violations — 59/100 (2026)
14 ZIP codes · 12 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're checking Cedar Rapids, IA tap water safety, the short answer is: average — violations are present in parts of the city and specifics depend on which water system serves your address.
How Cedar Rapids Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Cedar Rapids, IA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Cedar Rapids.
Cedar Rapids Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1078 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0016 mg/L.
- Estimated remediation: $2,507 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.38 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Cedar Rapids
Federal drinking water records identify 12 systems in Cedar Rapids, IA. The leading 3 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 14 ZIP codes in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, covering 12 community water systems serving approximately 145,119 people.
14 of 14 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 28 health-based violations documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Cedar Rapids: C (59/100)
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
Cedar Rapids water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0016 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 14 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 360 | 14 |
| Copper | Inorganic | 180 | 14 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 120 | 14 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 105 | 14 |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 45 | 14 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52401 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52402 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52403 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52404 | D | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52405 | D | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52406 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52407 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52408 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52409 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
| 52410 | C | 77 | 2 | Cedar Rapids Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Cedar Rapids
- 52401 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52402 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52403 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52404 [D] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52405 [D] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52406 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52407 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52408 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52409 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52410 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52411 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52497 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52498 [C] — 77 violations ⚠
- 52499 [C] — 77 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.
CDC Health Data for Cedar Rapids
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 Cedar Rapids
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Cedar Rapids: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most Cedar Rapids homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Cedar Rapids. The estimated $1,650–$3,650 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% above the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Cedar Rapids
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 Cedar Rapids 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.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Cedar Rapids
NFIP data for Cedar Rapids documents 1120 flood insurance claims across the program's multi-decade tracking period, with 57% of ZIP codes mapped into FEMA flood zones. That level of exposure creates compounding risk during major flood events: treatment systems can be overwhelmed, wells can be contaminated, and distribution infrastructure can suffer backflow — all pathways by which flood events degrade local water quality beyond the physical damage.
Cedar Rapids has a significant flood history with 1,120 FEMA flood insurance claims on record, averaging $35,127 per claim. With 57% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated flood zones, flood risk is a major concern for homeowners and water quality.
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>$2,507</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 Cedar Rapids
- 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 Lead and Copper Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Cedar Rapids's water.
- 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 Rapids, IA