Columbia, IA: 2 Violations - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Columbia Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0019 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.98 - above typical levels.
Columbia's Water Providers
Consolidated water delivery characterizes Columbia, IA: among 1 system in federal records, one utility holds the dominant service position - carrying the rate-setting authority, the infrastructure obligations, and the EPA reporting burden for most residential addresses.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Columbia, Iowa (population ~261), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,687 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Water Sources
Columbia water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0019 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
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 | 2 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50057 | — | 2 | 0 | Marion Company Rural Water District |
All ZIP Codes in Columbia
- 50057 - 2 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Columbia Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Columbia's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Columbia Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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
Two dates define the high-risk tiers of residential plumbing from a lead standpoint: 1970, before which lead pipes were commonly installed for service connections, and 1986, before which lead solder was standard in copper plumbing. A median build year of 1973 places Columbia's housing distribution well within that older risk zone. The bar chart above breaks down how much of the stock falls into each era - and the pre-1986 share alone represents more than half the residential inventory, making plumbing-era risk a defining characteristic of the local water safety picture.
Over half of homes in Columbia 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Columbia
When remediation costs are measured against Columbia home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier - addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Columbia are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 30% above the Iowa average.
Columbia: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Wherever 66% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in Columbia - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Columbia, IA