Fonda, IA: 2 Violations — 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Recent monitoring in Fonda shows middle-tier safety for IA — some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.
How Fonda Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Fonda Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0034 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 93% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.45 — above typical levels.
Fonda's Water Providers
Residential water in Fonda, IA is supplied by 2 separate utilities — not one centralized authority. Each of those providers operates under its own service territory boundary, maintains its own distribution infrastructure, and files compliance documentation with the EPA on its own timeline. Federal data counts 2 water systems in the area, with these providers collectively accounting for the dominant share of household connections.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fonda, Iowa (population ~1,253), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,886 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Fonda: C (65/100)
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
Fonda water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0034 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Copper | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50540 | C | 2 | 0 | Rockwell City Water Supply |
All ZIP Codes in Fonda
- 50540 [C] — 2 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.
Fonda Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Fonda's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Fonda Infrastructure Age
With 93% 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
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Fonda sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1942 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Fonda 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Fonda
Is remediation financially manageable for Fonda homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes — with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Fonda. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 40% below the Iowa average.
Fonda: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Although utility-side compliance with federal Lead and Copper requirements remains the system reference, that compliance does not extend down into interior plumbing. With 93% of Fonda stock built before the solder ban and aggregate readings at or beyond the action mark, a household-level sample becomes the practical way to close that information gap.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Fonda
- 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 Copper can reduce the most common contaminant found in Fonda's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Fonda, IA