CITY REPORT IA

Selma, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Selma: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

For residents of Selma, IA, a C is a prompt to look up the report for their own ZIP code rather than a verdict on their tap.

How Selma Compares

Selma67/100
Iowa avg63/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
C · 67
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
County Radon Potential (High)
$500
Est. Remediation

Selma Water: The Quick Version

  • Homes built before 1986: 100% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $500 per household.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 15.38.

Water Systems Serving Selma

Just one provider appears in the list below for Selma, IA, among 1 on the federal list. A listing shows which system is tied to the area, not which one serves a particular street; the water bill or the utility itself confirms that for a given address.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Selma, Iowa (population ~83), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 33,000 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 Selma: 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

Selma water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (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
52588 C Rathbun Regional Water Assn (rathbun) 33,000

All ZIP Codes in Selma

Data Sources

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

CDC Health Data for Selma

10.5%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
13.9%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

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

Asthma 10.5% ↑
Diabetes 13.9% ↑
Mental Health 16.9% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

How Old Is Selma's Housing Stock?

1904
Median Build Year
100%
Built Before 1986
89%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Likely Pipe Material

With 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

If you live in one of the pre-1986 homes in Selma, a certified lab test for lead is the direct way to learn what your tap delivers; the median build year of 1904 is only context.

1904
Median Year Built
100%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
89%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (89%) 1970–1986 (11%) Post-1986 (0%)

Over half of homes in Selma were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Protecting Children from Lead in Selma

100%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

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

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Selma

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$38,865
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
0%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Selma contains 1 flood insurance claim. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $38,865. 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 $500 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 Selma

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 100% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Selma, IA?
Selma has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100 (Grade C) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. The available EPA record reports no violations for ZIP codes with reported counts. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How does Selma compare to Iowa average?
Selma has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100, which is at or above the Iowa state average of 63/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve Selma?
Our records map 1 water system to 1 ZIP code in Selma. The related population figure in our data is approximately 83 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Selma?
Estimated remediation cost per household in Selma: $500; modeled range $300 to $800. Estimated costs may include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, or flood protection where applicable.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Selma, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/selma/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ia-selma,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Selma, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/selma/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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