Gilmore City, IA: 1 Health Violation — 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent monitoring cycles, Gilmore City tap water shows a mixed record for IA — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Gilmore City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Gilmore City Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0048 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 91% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.87 — above typical levels.
Gilmore City's Water Providers
Residential water service in Gilmore City, IA is divided among 3 separate utilities, drawn from 4 systems on file with federal regulators.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gilmore City, Iowa, covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 1,035 people.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gilmore City: 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
Gilmore City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0048 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 1003 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50541 | C | 2 | 1 | Gilmore City Waterworks |
All ZIP Codes in Gilmore City
- 50541 [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.
Gilmore City 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 Gilmore City's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Gilmore City Infrastructure Age
With 91% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing — from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Gilmore City, where the median build year is 1945, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Gilmore City 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 Gilmore City
The Gilmore City equity share sits above the low tier but short of the range where remediation becomes a heavy financial burden — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and deliberate planning is the key practical lever for most homeowners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Gilmore City. The estimated $950–$2,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 41% below the Iowa average.
Gilmore City: 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 91% of Gilmore City 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 Gilmore City
- 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 Contaminant 1003 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Gilmore City's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 91% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gilmore City, IA