CITY REPORT IA

State Center, IA: 5 Violations — 59/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Within State Center, water safety data for IA reveals moderate quality — federal standards are generally met, but documented exceptions exist in specific service areas.

How State Center Compares

State Center59/100
Iowa avg59/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
1
ZIPs with Violations
C · 59
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$167K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (0.7% of home value)

Key Facts for State Center Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 5 violations in the past 5 years.
  • Average lead level: 0.0009 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 81% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.82 — above typical levels.

State Center's Water Providers

3 water systems are tracked federally in State Center, IA. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.

State Center Muni Water Department
Serves ~1,411 people · 5 violations
59
/100
Squaw Valley South Subdivision
Serves ~105 people · 5 violations
59
/100
Hansell Water Department
Serves ~82 people · 5 violations
59
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in State Center, Iowa, covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 2,198 people.

1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for State Center: C (59/100)

The score combines three factors:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
Lead Levels 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification

Water Sources

State Center water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0009 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 ZIP codes 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
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 4 1
Nickel Inorganic 2 1
Lead Inorganic 2 1
Contaminant 1052 Other 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
50247 C 5 0 State Center Muni Water Department

All ZIP Codes in State Center

  • 50247 [C] — 5 violations

Data Sources

Updated daily.

State Center Community Health Snapshot

9.5%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.7%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.8%
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 9.5% ↓
Diabetes 12.7% ↑
Mental Health 15.8% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

What's in State Center's Water?

Consumer Confidence Report Rule 4 violations
Reporting
Nickel 2 violations
Inorganic · EPA limit: 0.1 mg/L
Skin and lung effects at high exposure
Lead 2 violations
Inorganic · EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

State Center Infrastructure Age

1959
Median Build Year
81%
Built Before 1986
62%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 81% 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

Reading the housing age data for State Center — median build year 1959 — the overriding implication is that the plumbing materials inside a typical home here reflect pre-1986 construction standards. In practical terms, that means lead-soldered copper joints are common across much of the housing stock. Where those materials are present, water can leach lead as it moves through joints — a pathway that corrosion control treatment under federal rules is designed to reduce, though it cannot eliminate lead risk where the plumbing materials themselves contain lead.

1959
Median Year Built
81%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
62%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (62%) 1970–1986 (19%) Post-1986 (19%)

Over half of homes in State Center 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 State Center

Placing remediation in the context of State Center's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.

Median Home Value
$167,200
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 0.7%

Remediation costs in State Center are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% above the Iowa average.

State Center: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

81%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.0009
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.

Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 81% of the State Center inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.

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

What You Can Do in State Center

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Filters rated for Consumer Confidence Report Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in State Center's water.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 81% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in State Center, IA?
State Center has an average water safety score of 59/100 (Grade C). 5 EPA violations have been recorded. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How many water violations does State Center have?
State Center water systems have a total of 5 EPA violations. Violations are tracked across 1 ZIP code.
Does State Center water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in State Center is 0.0009 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 does State Center compare to Iowa average?
State Center has an average water safety score of 59/100, which is above the Iowa state average of 59/100.
How many water systems serve State Center?
State Center is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 2,198 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in State Center?
Estimated remediation costs in State Center average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,500. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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