Deep River, IA: High Radon Risk — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Deep River's water quality grade in IA reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Deep River Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Deep River Water
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.64 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Deep River
In Deep River, IA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 2 leading providers out of 2 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Deep River, Iowa (population ~643), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,794 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Deep River — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Deep River: C (55/100)
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
Deep River water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Deep River
- 0 ZIP codes 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52222 | C | Montezuma Muni Water Supply | 1,545 |
All ZIP Codes in Deep River
- 52222 [C]
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.
Health Outcomes in Deep River
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Deep River
With 73% 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
Reading the housing age data for Deep River — median build year 1901 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Deep River 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Deep River Homeowners
At current valuations, Deep River falls in the moderate remediation-share tier — a level where treating this as a budgeted line item rather than an ad-hoc expense is the practical approach.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Deep River. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 31% below the Iowa average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Deep River
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 73% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Deep River.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Deep River
- 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 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Deep River, IA