CITY REPORT IA

Shell Rock, IA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$172K
Median Home Value
$3,000
Est. Remediation (1.7% of home value)

Key Facts for Shell Rock Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.0046 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 76% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 14.43 - above typical levels.

Shell Rock's Water Providers

As of current federal records, Shell Rock, IA is served primarily by one water utility among 1 tracked system. That single provider handles infrastructure investment, rate adjustments, and regulatory reporting under EPA oversight.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Shell Rock, Iowa, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,379 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

Shell Rock water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0046 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
50670 Shell Rock Muni Water Supp 1,269

All ZIP Codes in Shell Rock

Data Sources

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

Shell Rock Community Health Snapshot

9.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.6%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 9.9% ↑
Diabetes 12.6% ↑
Mental Health 15.9% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Shell Rock Infrastructure Age

1951
Median Build Year
76%
Built Before 1986
51%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 76% 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 Shell Rock's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1951 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.

1951
Median Year Built
76%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
51%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (51%) 1970–1986 (25%) Post-1986 (24%)

Over half of homes in Shell Rock 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 Shell Rock

Middle of the range - Shell Rock homeowners face a remediation share that calls for real financial attention without reaching crisis territory.

Median Home Value
$172,100
Est. Remediation
$3,000
Remediation as % of home value 1.7%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Shell Rock. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 5% above the Iowa average.

Shell Rock: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

76%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0046
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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.

Older stock in Shell Rock represents 76% of the inventory, and citywide monitoring runs at or above the federal action level - making an in-home read a standard household-level step.

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

Shell Rock: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

31
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$30,920
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Shell Rock contains 31 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $30,920. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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>$3,000</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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Shell Rock water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Shell Rock is 0.0046 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How many water systems serve Shell Rock?
Shell Rock is served by 1 public water system across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 2,379 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Shell Rock?
Estimated remediation costs in Shell Rock average $3,000 per household, ranging from $2,000 to $4,000. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesIowa → Shell Rock, IA

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Shell Rock, IA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/shell-rock/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ia-shell-rock,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Shell Rock, IA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/shell-rock/}
}

Page version: August 2026.

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