Swea City, IA: High Radon Risk — 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in IA, Swea City carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Swea City Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Swea City Water
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.39 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Swea City
Water service in Swea City, IA is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Swea City, Iowa, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 736 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Swea City — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Swea City: C (66/100)
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
Swea City water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50590 | C | Swea City Water Supply | 584 |
All ZIP Codes in Swea City
- 50590 [C]
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
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Swea City
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Swea City
With 90% 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
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Swea City — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1956 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Swea 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Swea City Homeowners
When the numbers for Swea City are taken together, the remediation share is clearly in the elevated category — most homeowners here are weighing a commitment that extends beyond routine property upkeep, and the practical value of documenting scope early, prioritizing by urgency, and mapping costs against the household budget is proportionally higher at this tier.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Swea City represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $800–$1,500. Home values here are 65% below the Iowa average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Swea City
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Swea City have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 90% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Swea City
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 90% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Swea City, IA