Council Bluffs, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
3 ZIP codes · 1 water system · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Council Bluffs: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Based on current EPA data, Council Bluffs, IA reflects fair but uneven tap water safety.
How Council Bluffs Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Council Bluffs Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 70% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,567 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.79 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Council Bluffs
Because residential water in Council Bluffs, IA flows primarily through a single utility, infrastructure decisions, rate-setting, and EPA compliance are all managed within one organizational structure. Federal records show 1 system active in the area, but one provider dominates the service landscape for most homes and apartments.
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 3 ZIP codes in Council Bluffs, Iowa, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 72,339 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 3 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Council Bluffs: 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
Council Bluffs water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 3 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 51501 | C | Council Bluffs Water Works | 64,447 |
| 51503 | C | Council Bluffs Water Works | 64,447 |
All ZIP Codes in Council Bluffs
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.
CDC Health Data for Council Bluffs
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
How Old Is Council Bluffs's Housing Stock?
With 70% 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
When more than half a city's housing predates the 1986 federal ban on lead solder, plumbing-era lead risk becomes a citywide concern rather than an exception. Council Bluffs's median build year of 1973 places it squarely in that category.
Over half of homes in Council Bluffs 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.
Council Bluffs: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity impact of remediation in Council Bluffs sits at a moderate level - real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Council Bluffs. The estimated $1,700–$3,567 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 54% above the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Council Bluffs
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.
After the federal action removing lead-bearing solder from new plumbing took effect, building practice shifted - but 70% of the Council Bluffs inventory predates that line. With aggregate samples near or beyond 0.015 mg/L, an in-home check moves out of the optional column into the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Council Bluffs
Historical NFIP data for Council Bluffs contains 741 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $12,343. 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. The <strong>$2,567</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
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 Council Bluffs
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Council Bluffs, IA