Iowa City, IA: 84 Violations — 49/100 (2026)
6 ZIP codes · 9 water systems · Updated 2026-06-04
Systems across Iowa City show elevated violation counts against IA benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Iowa City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
Water Quality Map: Iowa City, IA
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
How ZIP codes in Iowa City score across all safety grades.
What You Should Know About Iowa City Water
- Your city's water systems recorded 84 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.004 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 57% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,750 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 10.47.
Who Supplies Your Water in Iowa City
Multiple utilities divide Iowa City, IA's water service — 3 leading providers among 9 on the federal register.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 6 ZIP codes in Iowa City, Iowa (population ~85,167), covering 9 community water systems serving approximately 142,414 people region-wide.
6 of 6 ZIP codes (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Iowa City: D (49/100)
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
Iowa City water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0040 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)
- Zone 1 (High): 6 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 28 | 6 |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 14 | 6 |
| Contaminant 1032 | Other | 7 | 6 |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 7 | 6 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 52240 | D | 14 | 0 | Iowa City Water Department |
| 52242 | D | 14 | 0 | Iowa City Water Department |
| 52243 | D | 14 | 0 | Iowa City Water Department |
| 52244 | D | 14 | 0 | Iowa City Water Department |
| 52245 | D | 14 | 0 | Iowa City Water Department |
| 52246 | D | 14 | 0 | Iowa City Water Department |
All ZIP Codes in Iowa City
- 52240 [D] — 14 violations
- 52242 [D] — 14 violations
- 52243 [D] — 14 violations
- 52244 [D] — 14 violations
- 52245 [D] — 14 violations
- 52246 [D] — 14 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.
Health Outcomes in Iowa City
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
Top Contaminants in Iowa City Water
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Housing & Infrastructure in Iowa City
With 57% 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 median home in Iowa City was built in 1980 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Iowa 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Iowa City Homeowners
In Iowa City, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Iowa City are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,900–$3,917 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 78% above the Iowa average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Iowa City
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.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 57% of Iowa City homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Iowa City
67% of ZIP codes in Iowa City are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 312 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Iowa City has a moderate flood history with 312 FEMA claims averaging $70,631 per payout. 67% 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>$2,750</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 Iowa 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 Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Iowa City's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 57% 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 Iowa City, IA