Grundy Center, IA: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Tap water in Grundy Center, IA scores well — low violation counts, above-average safety grade.
How Grundy Center Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Grundy Center Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0018 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 83% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.22 — above typical levels.
Grundy Center's Water Providers
Grundy Center, IA draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Grundy Center, Iowa, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,474 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Grundy Center — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Grundy Center: B (70/100)
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
Grundy Center water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0018 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50638 | B | Grundy Center Water Supply | 2,796 |
All ZIP Codes in Grundy Center
- 50638 [B]
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.
Grundy Center 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
Grundy Center Infrastructure Age
With 83% 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
Reading the housing age data for Grundy Center — median build year 1953 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.
Over half of homes in Grundy Center 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 Grundy Center
Given current Grundy Center property values, the remediation share falls in the moderate tier — an indicator that the household financial perspective here calls for advance planning rather than dismissal, with most homeowners positioned to address documented issues through deliberate budgeting rather than needing to treat remediation as a significant equity event or financial emergency.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Grundy Center. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 10% above the Iowa average.
Grundy Center: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 83% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Grundy Center.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Grundy Center: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
NFIP records stretching across multiple decades show Grundy Center accumulating 2 claims and carrying 100% of its ZIP codes inside FEMA flood zones — evidence of meaningful exposure that extends beyond isolated incidents. The mechanisms linking flooding to water quality haven't changed: treatment facilities can be overwhelmed, wells can be infiltrated, and distribution systems can experience backflow. For a community at this exposure level, those mechanisms shift from hypothetical to periodically relevant.
Grundy Center has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims. 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Grundy Center, IA