CITY REPORT IA

Thornton, IA Water - Home Safety Score unavailable

1 ZIP code · 0 water systems · Updated

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
0
Water Systems
N/A
ZIPs with Violations
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$112K
Median Home Value
$2,400
Est. Remediation (2.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Thornton Residents

  • Homes built before 1986: 87% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 14.3 - above typical levels.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Thornton, Iowa, covering 0 community water system serving approximately 783 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 0 of 1 ZIP codes.

EPA water-system violation data is unavailable in the dataset used for this page for the tracked ZIP codes in Thornton.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Thornton
  • Lead action-level status: not available

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

All ZIP Codes in Thornton

Data Sources

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

Thornton Community Health Snapshot

10%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.5%
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 10% ↑
Diabetes 12.5% ↑
Mental Health 15.9% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Thornton Infrastructure Age

1943
Median Build Year
87%
Built Before 1986
63%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 87% 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

Decades of residential development in Thornton took place before the two main regulatory milestones that reduced plumbing-era lead risk: the phase-out of lead pipes before 1970, and the federal ban on lead solder in 1986. With a median build year of 1943, the housing stock here is anchored in that earlier period. The distinction between pre-1970 and 1970-to-1986 construction matters: the oldest homes may have lead pipes in the service line and lead solder in the copper joints, while the 1970-to-1986 tier still carries the solder risk even after lead pipes became less common. Together, these two risk layers affect a majority of the residential properties in the city - a fact the aggregate water quality data doesn't directly reveal.

1943
Median Year Built
87%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
63%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (63%) 1970–1986 (24%) Post-1986 (13%)

Over half of homes in Thornton 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 Thornton

Looking at how documented remediation costs fit within Thornton's property market, the equity share lands in the elevated tier - a result that positions the household financial perspective as one requiring structured preparation, where mapping costs against household budget, documenting scope early, and sequencing by urgency are the practical tools that distinguish manageable outcomes from financially disruptive ones.

Median Home Value
$112,200
Est. Remediation
$2,400
Remediation as % of home value 2.1%

At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Thornton represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 32% below the Iowa average.

Thornton: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

87%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

Households with kids in the home - for whom CDC guidance places particular weight on minimizing exposure - face a specific local picture in Thornton. 87% of homes here come from the pre-rule era, and aggregate utility samples either approach or cross 0.015 mg/L. A baseline draw-test kit and certified lead-removal filtration are available via retailer networks for households confirming conditions at a specific tap.

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

Thornton: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context

2
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$2,661
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for Thornton contains 2 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $2,661. 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>$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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to fix water issues in Thornton?
Estimated remediation costs in Thornton average $2,400 per household, ranging from $1,600 to $3,300. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesIowa → Thornton, IA

How to cite this page

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

Page version: August 2026.

Get safety alerts for Thornton, Iowa

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool - no phone call required.