Traer, IA: 2 Violations — 68/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
For most households in Traer, IA tap water is adequate — the middle-tier grade reflects gaps in specific service areas.
How Traer Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Traer Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0006 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 88% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.73 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Traer
Federal drinking water records identify 2 systems in Traer, IA. The leading 2 providers serve the largest share of residential connections, each operating as a separate entity with its own rate authority, infrastructure management, and EPA compliance obligations — so service conditions are not uniform city-wide.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Traer, Iowa, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 2,323 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 Traer: C (68/100)
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
Traer water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0006 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50675 | C | 2 | 0 | Traer Municipal Water Plant |
All ZIP Codes in Traer
- 50675 [C] — 2 violations
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.
CDC Health Data for Traer
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Traer
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Traer's Housing Stock?
With 88% 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
What does a median build year of 1946 mean for water safety in Traer? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Traer 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.
Traer: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Homeowners in Traer are working with a moderate equity share for documented remediation — the commitment deserves a line in the household budget, not dismissal.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Traer. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 10% below the Iowa average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Traer
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.
If 88% of the Traer inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Traer
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Traer through the NFIP — 7 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Traer has a moderate flood history with 7 FEMA claims averaging $17,891 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Traer
- 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. Filters rated for Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) can reduce the most common contaminant found in Traer's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 88% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Traer, IA