Martinsburg, IA: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water systems serving Martinsburg record elevated violation rates against IA benchmarks — residents in affected areas may want to check their local system's current compliance status.
How Martinsburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Martinsburg Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 73% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.05 — above typical levels.
Martinsburg's Water Providers
Most residential addresses in Martinsburg, IA are served by a single water utility — the dominant system among the 1 provider tracked in federal data.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Martinsburg, Iowa (population ~73), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 728 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Martinsburg — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Martinsburg: D (40/100)
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
Martinsburg water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Martinsburg
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52568 | D | HEDRICK WATER SUPPLY | 728 |
All ZIP Codes in Martinsburg
- 52568 [D]
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.
Martinsburg 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
Martinsburg Infrastructure Age
With 73% 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 Martinsburg — median build year 1977 — 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 Martinsburg 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.
Martinsburg: 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.
If 73% of the Martinsburg 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.
What You Can Do in Martinsburg
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 73% 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 Martinsburg, IA