Denver, IA: 3 Violations — 59/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in IA, Denver carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Denver Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Denver Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 3 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.59 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Denver
Water service in Denver, IA is split across 3 utilities out of 3 tracked federally, each operating its own infrastructure and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Denver, Iowa, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 3,288 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Denver: C (59/100)
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
Denver water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 6 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50622 | C | 3 | 0 | Denver Water Supply |
All ZIP Codes in Denver
- 50622 [C] — 3 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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Denver
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Denver
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Denver's Housing Stock?
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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages — lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 — but in Denver, where the median build year is 1975, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in Denver 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.
Denver: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of Denver's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Denver are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 50% above the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Denver
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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 73% of Denver stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Denver
Although Denver's flood history doesn't reach high-severity thresholds, NFIP data documents 20 claims and FEMA maps place 100% of ZIP codes in designated flood zones — a combined profile that makes flood-related water quality considerations a reasonable planning baseline.
Denver has a moderate flood history with 20 FEMA claims averaging $4,902 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Denver
- 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. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Denver's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 73% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Denver, IA