Prairie City, IA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Prairie City Residents
- Average lead level: 0.0051 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 75% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.81 - above typical levels.
Prairie City's Water Providers
Supply infrastructure in Prairie City, IA runs through a single dominant provider - the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Prairie City, Iowa, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,345 people. 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.
Water Sources
Prairie City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0051 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50228 | — | Colfax Water Supply | 2,305 |
All ZIP Codes in Prairie City
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.
Prairie City 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
Prairie City Infrastructure Age
With 75% 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 Prairie City was built in 1979 - 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 Prairie 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Prairie City
Across Prairie City, the equity share taken up by estimated remediation is small - a favorable ratio for most property owners.
Remediation costs in Prairie City are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 20% above the Iowa average.
Prairie City: 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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 75% of Prairie City stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Prairie City, IA