CITY REPORT IA

Humeston, IA: 5 Violations — 61/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Humeston's water quality grade in IA reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.

How Humeston Compares

Humeston61/100
Iowa avg59/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 61
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$107K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (1.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Humeston Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0012 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 70% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 15 — above typical levels.

Humeston's Water Providers

2 independent water providers serve Humeston, IA — 2 systems appear in federal records.

Rathbun Regional Water Assn (rathbun)
Serves ~33,000 people · 5 violations
61
/100
Humeston Water Plant
Serves ~462 people · 5 violations
61
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Humeston, Iowa (population ~863), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 33,462 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 Humeston: C (61/100)

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

Humeston water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0012 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
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 4 1
Copper Inorganic 2 1
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Technique 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
50123 C 5 0 Rathbun Regional Water Assn (rathbun)

All ZIP Codes in Humeston

  • 50123 [C] — 5 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Humeston Community Health Snapshot

10.2%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
13.1%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16.7%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.2% ↑
Diabetes 13.1% ↑
Mental Health 16.7% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in Humeston's Water?

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 4 violations
Disinfection Byproducts · EPA limit: 0.08 mg/L
Increased cancer risk with long-term exposure
Copper 2 violations
Inorganic · EPA limit: 1.3 mg/L
Gastrointestinal distress, liver/kidney damage
Lead and Copper Rule 2 violations
Treatment Technique
Developmental delays in children, kidney damage

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Humeston Infrastructure Age

1979
Median Build Year
70%
Built Before 1986
40%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 70% 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

When a city's housing median build year is 1979, as in Humeston, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.

1979
Median Year Built
70%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
40%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (40%) 1970–1986 (30%) Post-1986 (30%)

Over half of homes in Humeston 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 Humeston

Viewed from a financial planning lens, Humeston sits in the moderate remediation-share tier — the equity impact of addressing documented issues is real, and deliberate preparation separates smooth outcomes from disruptive ones for most homeowners.

Median Home Value
$106,800
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 1.1%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Humeston. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 35% below the Iowa average.

Humeston: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

70%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0012
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

When older housing represents 70% of the local inventory or aggregate readings approach the federal action level, an in-home check becomes the standard way to translate citywide averages into the specific reality of an individual Humeston address.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

What You Can Do in Humeston

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Humeston's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 70% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Humeston, IA?
Humeston has an average water safety score of 61/100 (Grade C). 5 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does Humeston have?
Humeston water systems have a total of 5 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does Humeston water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Humeston is 0.0012 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Humeston compare to Iowa average?
Humeston has an average water safety score of 61/100, which is above the Iowa state average of 59/100.
How many water systems serve Humeston?
Humeston is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 863 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Humeston?
Estimated remediation costs in Humeston average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,500. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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