Fort Madison, IA: 1 Violation — 52/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Fort Madison falls below the IA baseline — elevated violation rates are on record.
How Fort Madison Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Fort Madison Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 88% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.44 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Fort Madison
Residential addresses in Fort Madison, IA are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Fort Madison, Iowa (population ~12,585), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 22,927 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 Fort Madison: D (52/100)
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
Fort Madison water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Fort Madison
- 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 Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52627 | D | 1 | 0 | Rathbun Reg Water Assn (ft Madison) |
All ZIP Codes in Fort Madison
- 52627 [D] — 1 violation
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 Fort Madison
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
How Old Is Fort Madison's Housing Stock?
With 88% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Fort Madison is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1955 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Fort Madison 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.
Fort Madison: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Fort Madison is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 3.1% of home value, remediation costs in Fort Madison represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,300–$4,800. Home values here are 32% below the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Fort Madison
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.
88% of Fort Madison housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Fort Madison
FEMA data shows 100% of Fort Madison's ZIP codes mapped into designated flood zones, paired with an NFIP record of 67 claims. That footprint places local flood exposure in the range where it warrants attention without rising to high-severity planning territory.
Fort Madison has a moderate flood history with 67 FEMA claims averaging $30,526 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>$3,500</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 Fort Madison
- 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 88% 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 Fort Madison, IA