CITY REPORT IA

Kensett, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 0 water systems · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
0
Water Systems
N/A
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$124K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (1.0% of home value)

Key Facts for Kensett Residents

  • Homes built before 1986: 84% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 14.27 - above typical levels.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Kensett, Iowa, covering 0 community water system serving approximately 613 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 0 of 1 ZIP codes.

EPA water-system violation data is unavailable in the dataset used for this page for the tracked ZIP codes in Kensett.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Kensett
  • Lead action-level status: not available

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

All ZIP Codes in Kensett

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Kensett Community Health Snapshot

9.8%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.4%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.6%
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 9.8% ↓
Diabetes 12.4% ↑
Mental Health 15.6% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Kensett Infrastructure Age

1942
Median Build Year
84%
Built Before 1986
59%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 84% 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

For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Kensett, the median build year of 1942 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 - the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing - and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.

1942
Median Year Built
84%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
59%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (59%) 1970–1986 (25%) Post-1986 (16%)

Over half of homes in Kensett 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 Kensett

In Kensett, documented water and safety issues can be addressed without making a meaningful dent in home equity - the financial proportionality here is favorable, and the commitment fits within standard property planning frameworks.

Median Home Value
$123,800
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 1.0%

Remediation costs in Kensett are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% below the Iowa average.

Kensett: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

84%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

If 84% of the Kensett inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder - and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L - the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fix water issues in Kensett?
Estimated remediation costs in Kensett average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,500. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesIowa → Kensett, IA

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Kensett, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/kensett/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ia-kensett,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Kensett, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/kensett/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

Get safety alerts for Kensett, Iowa

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool - no phone call required.