CITY REPORT IA

Council Bluffs, IA: High Radon Potential Area - 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.

Documented records place Council Bluffs, IA in the middle grade tier.

How Council Bluffs Compares

Council Bluffs67/100
Iowa avg63/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

3
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
C · 67
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
County Radon Potential (High)
$253K
Median Home Value
$500
Est. Remediation (0.2% of home value)

Council Bluffs Water: The Quick Version

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.002 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 70% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.79.

Water Systems Serving Council Bluffs

Council Bluffs, IA: one listed entry, 1 linked overall.

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 of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 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

3 of 3 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
51501 C Council Bluffs Water Works 64,447
51503 C Council Bluffs Water Works 64,447

All ZIP Codes in Council Bluffs

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

CDC Health Data for Council Bluffs

10.4%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.7%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
17%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

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

Asthma 10.4% ↑
Diabetes 11.7% ↑
Mental Health 17% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

How Old Is Council Bluffs's Housing Stock?

1973
Median Build Year
70%
Built Before 1986
53%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Plumbing risk in older housing is tied to the period before 1986, when lead pipes and lead solder were still permitted in new plumbing. Council Bluffs's median build year is 1973, and properties from before that year might still contain lead-bearing joints or pipes. Much of that risk sits inside individual properties, which city-level water quality averages don't capture.

1973
Median Year Built
70%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
53%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (53%) 1970–1986 (17%) Post-1986 (30%)

Over half of homes in Council Bluffs were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. 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

Here the gap between local home values and the estimated repair bill is wide, so the percentage shown below for Council Bluffs stays at or under the 1% mark.

Median Home Value
$252,600
Est. Remediation
$500
Remediation as % of home value 0.2%

Estimated remediation costs in Council Bluffs can be compared with local home values. The $300–$800 estimated range can be set against the median property value; actual costs vary by home. Home values are 54% above the Iowa average.

Protecting Children from Lead in Council Bluffs

70%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.002
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

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.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Council Bluffs

741
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$12,343
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

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 $500 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

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
  3. 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

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Council Bluffs, IA?
Council Bluffs has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100 (Grade C) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. The available EPA record reports no violations for ZIP codes with reported counts. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
Does Council Bluffs water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Council Bluffs is 0.002 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Council Bluffs compare to Iowa average?
Council Bluffs has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100, which is at or above the Iowa state average of 63/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve Council Bluffs?
Our records map 1 water system to 3 ZIP codes in Council Bluffs. The related population figure in our data is approximately 72,339 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Council Bluffs?
Estimated remediation cost per household in Council Bluffs: $500; modeled range $300 to $800. Estimated costs may include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, or flood protection where applicable.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Council Bluffs, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/council-bluffs/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ia-council-bluffs,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Council Bluffs, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/council-bluffs/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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