INFRASTRUCTURE IA HIGH RISK

Infrastructure Stress in Cedar Rapids, IA: High

Modeled stress 45% · high · 10 water systems · Updated

Cedar Rapids's heuristic infrastructure stress indicator is in the high model band. It does not establish that a pipe or system will fail.

Data: EPA ECHO, Census ACS, NTSB Last verified:

45%

Stress Indicator

high

Modeled Stress Level

CO/Gas Incidents

1974

Median Build Year

Water Systems

ZIP Codes

What is the infrastructure stress indicator?

The infrastructure stress indicator is a heuristic 0-100 composite of housing age, state funding need, violation history, and lead evidence. It is not a probability, measured pipe condition, or forecast of breaks, pressure loss, or contamination. Cedar Rapids's average indicator is 45/100.

Infrastructure Risk Distribution

How Cedar Rapids's 14 ZIP codes are distributed by infrastructure risk level:

Low 0 ZIPs

Moderate 1 ZIP

High 13 ZIPs

Very High 0 ZIPs

Infrastructure Risk Overview

Cedar Rapids, Iowa has a high modeled infrastructure stress level with an average heuristic indicator of 45/100. The result does not establish that any pipe or system will fail.

The infrastructure stress indicator combines source inputs for housing age, funding need, violation history, and lead evidence. It does not measure the likelihood of pipe failure, water-main breaks, or system degradation.

Key Infrastructure Metrics

Metric	Value
Stress indicator	45/100
Modeled stress level	high
Water systems	10
Median build year	1974
Pre-1986 housing	61%
CO/gas incidents	0
ZIP codes	14
Population	145,119

Infrastructure Risk Distribution

How Cedar Rapids's 14 ZIP codes are distributed by infrastructure risk level:

Risk Level	ZIP Codes	Percentage
Low	0	0%
Moderate	1	7%
High	13	93%
Very High	0	0%

93% of Cedar Rapids's ZIP codes are in the high or very-high modeled stress category. This is a distribution of heuristic inputs, not a failure forecast.

Water System Age and Pipe Materials

The median home in Cedar Rapids was built in 1974 (approximately 52 years old). Housing age is one of the strongest proxies for water infrastructure age, as service lines and interior plumbing were typically installed during construction.

Pipe material risks by era:

Era	Common Pipe Material	Expected Lifespan	Key Risk
Pre-1940	Lead, cast iron	50-75 years	Lead contamination, corrosion
1940-1960	Galvanized steel, cast iron	40-60 years	Rust, lead solder, reduced flow
1960-1980	Copper, galvanized steel	50-70 years	Lead solder (pre-1986), pinhole leaks
1980-2000	Copper, PVC, CPVC	25-50 years	Chlorine degradation of plastics
2000+	PEX, copper, CPVC	25-50+ years	Generally low risk

With 61% of Cedar Rapids's homes built before 1986, a significant portion of residential plumbing may contain lead solder or aging pipe materials.

Carbon Monoxide & Gas Safety

The available county record contains no CO/gas incidents. The average CO risk score is 0 out of 100.

Carbon monoxide is odorless and colorless - it is the leading cause of poisoning deaths in the U.S. Risk factors include:

Gas furnaces, water heaters, and stoves
Attached garages
Blocked chimneys or vents
Portable generators used indoors

Prevention:

Install CO detectors on every level, especially near bedrooms
Have gas appliances inspected annually
Never run generators, grills, or cars in enclosed spaces
Replace CO detectors every 5-7 years

What Homeowners Can Do

Pipe Inspection

Hire a licensed plumber to inspect your service line and interior plumbing
Check for discolored water (brown/orange = rust; white/cloudy = air or sediment)
Test water pressure - low pressure may indicate buildup in aging pipes
Look for visible corrosion on exposed pipes in basement or utility areas

Water Heater Maintenance

Flush your water heater annually to remove sediment
Check the anode rod every 2-3 years (prevents tank corrosion)
Set temperature to 120F to prevent scalding and reduce energy use
Replace water heaters older than 10-15 years proactively

CO Detector Placement

One detector per floor, minimum
Within 10 feet of each bedroom door
Near attached garage and utility room
5 feet above the floor (CO rises with warm air) or on the ceiling
Not near windows, doors, or HVAC vents (air movement causes false readings)

Cedar Rapids vs. Nearby Iowa Cities

How Cedar Rapids's infrastructure compares to nearby cities:

City	Water Systems	Violations	Population
Cedar Rapids	10	32	145,119
Davenport	4	1	103,543
Sioux City	2	2	89,537
Iowa City	7	20	85,167

ZIP Codes in Cedar Rapids

Cedar Rapids covers 14 ZIP codes served by 10 water systems. Infrastructure condition varies by ZIP code based on housing age, pipe material, and water system maintenance. Check your specific ZIP code for localized data.

Data Sources

Water systems: EPA ECHO - Enforcement and Compliance History Online
Infrastructure risk: Derived model (housing age, violation history, system assessments)
Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
CO/gas incidents: NTSB, PHMSA pipeline incident reports

Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.

Water Quality Map: Cedar Rapids, IA

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Infrastructure Risk by ZIP Code in Cedar Rapids

Infrastructure risk varies across Cedar Rapids's 14 ZIP codes based on system age, pipe materials, and violation history.

ZIP Code	Grade	Score	Violations
52411	C	55/100	30	View report →
52404	C	66/100	2	View report →
52405	C	66/100	1	View report →
52401	C	67/100	0	View report →
52402	C	67/100	0	View report →
52403	C	67/100	0	View report →
52406	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52407	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52408	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52409	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52410	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52497	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52498	N/A	/100	0	View report →
52499	N/A	/100	0	View report →

Check your water system's infrastructure

Infrastructure risk varies by ZIP code and water system. Enter your ZIP for a personalized infrastructure assessment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How old are the pipes in Cedar Rapids?

The median home build year in Cedar Rapids is 1974, making typical plumbing infrastructure about 52 years old. Pipes older than 40-50 years have elevated risk of corrosion, leaks, and lead contamination.

Is Cedar Rapids's water infrastructure safe?

The heuristic infrastructure stress indicator is 45/100, in the high model band. It does not predict pipe or system failures.

Is there CO or gas leak risk in Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids has recorded 0 CO/gas incidents from NTSB data. While incidents are low, all homes should have working CO detectors as a precaution.

What is the infrastructure stress indicator for Cedar Rapids?

The average heuristic infrastructure stress indicator for Cedar Rapids is 45/100. It combines model inputs and does not estimate the likelihood of pipe deterioration.

How many water systems serve Cedar Rapids?

Cedar Rapids is served by 10 public water systems across 14 ZIP codes. Multiple systems mean water quality and infrastructure condition can vary by neighborhood.

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