Runnells, IA: 2 Health Violations - Home Safety 64/100
1 ZIP code · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Runnells: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Unlike higher-rated cities in IA, Runnells carries a fair number of documented violations - the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Runnells Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Runnells Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 6 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0056 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 54% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.97.
Runnells's Water Providers
Structurally, Runnells, IA's water supply is divided. Federal data identifies 5 water systems in the area, with 3 providers serving the bulk of residential connections. These utilities operate independently, meaning rate-setting authority and EPA compliance accountability are distributed rather than centralized.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Runnells, Iowa (population ~3,275), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 276,050 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Runnells: C (64/100)
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
Runnells water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0056 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 4 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 4 | 1 |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50237 | C | 6 | 2 | Des Moines Water Works |
All ZIP Codes in Runnells
- 50237 [C] - 6 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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Runnells 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
What's in Runnells's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Runnells Infrastructure Age
With 54% 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
Because the majority of Runnells's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1989 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Runnells 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 Runnells
In Runnells, property wealth outpaces what documented remediation typically demands - the equity burden lands well within the low tier.
Remediation costs in Runnells are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 98% above the Iowa average.
Runnells: 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.
Routinely in Runnells, where 54% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Runnells: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Runnells contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $12,282. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 0% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Runnells
- 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 Gross Alpha can reduce the most common contaminant found in Runnells's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Runnells, IA