Polk City, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Polk City: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Polk City earns a C grade for IA; check the EPA record for the system that serves your address.
How Polk City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Polk City Water
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0014 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 28% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.97.
Who Supplies Your Water in Polk City
Multiple utilities show up for Polk City, IA: 3 are listed here out of 5 tracked federally.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Polk City, Iowa (population ~7,290), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 343,290 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Polk City: C (67/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Polk City water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0014 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50226 | C | City of Ankeny, | 76,207 |
All ZIP Codes in Polk City
- 50226 [C]
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Health Outcomes in Polk City
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Polk City
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
The median build year for Polk City is 2006. A build year alone does not tell you what pipes or solder a home has.
Most homes in Polk City were built after 1986; lead exposure at a tap still depends on its service line and plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Polk City
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Averaged across Polk City ZIP codes, the 90th-percentile lead results reported by water systems come to less than 10 parts per billion. That is an area summary rather than a reading from any home, and EPA's health goal for lead in drinking water is zero; about 28% of local housing predates 1986.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Polk City
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
- Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
- Check your home's plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder in pipes. A licensed plumber can assess your risk.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Polk City, IA