Dewar, IA: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water monitoring data from Dewar, IA tells a below-average story — health violations are present and system-level detail is worth reviewing before drawing conclusions.
How Dewar Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Dewar Water
- Homes built before 1986: 59% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.27 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Dewar
As of current federal records, Dewar, IA is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Dewar, Iowa (population ~145), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 4,561 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Dewar — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Dewar: D (53/100)
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
Dewar water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Dewar
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50623 | D | EVANSDALE WATER WORKS | 4,561 |
All ZIP Codes in Dewar
- 50623 [D]
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 Dewar
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 Dewar
With 59% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Dewar's median build year of 1964 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Dewar 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 Dewar Homeowners
The equity impact of remediation in Dewar sits at a moderate level — real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Dewar. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 4% above the Iowa average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Dewar
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 59% pre-rule share in Dewar keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Dewar
Within the NFIP's national dataset, Dewar falls in moderate-exposure territory — 5 documented incidents spanning multiple decades, with 100% of local ZIP codes sitting inside FEMA flood boundaries. That combination warrants inclusion in any thorough local water quality review.
Dewar has a moderate flood history with 5 FEMA claims averaging $21,443 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>$3,000</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 Dewar
- 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 59% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Dewar, IA