Elkhart, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Elkhart: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Elkhart, IA: mid-range safety grade, uneven compliance across service areas.
How Elkhart Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Elkhart Water
- Average lead level: 0.0013 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 37% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.97.
Who Supplies Your Water in Elkhart
Water delivery in Elkhart, IA is handled by 3 utilities rather than a single system - drawn from 3 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Elkhart, Iowa (population ~1,018), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 331,655 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Elkhart: 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
Elkhart water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0013 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50073 | C | Des Moines Water Works | 246,055 |
All ZIP Codes in Elkhart
- 50073 [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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Elkhart
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 Elkhart
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
With a median build year of 1993, Elkhart's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 - the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned - meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Elkhart were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Elkhart Homeowners
In Elkhart, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small - not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Elkhart are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 68% above the Iowa average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Elkhart
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.
Routinely in Elkhart, where 37% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Elkhart
- 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 37% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Elkhart, IA