Waterloo, IA: 2 Violations - Home Safety 50/100
4 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Waterloo: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
A meaningful share of water systems in Waterloo have recorded health-based violations in recent IA monitoring periods - placing the city in the lower tier for tap water safety.
How Waterloo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Waterloo Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.0023 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 82% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,150 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.27 - above typical levels.
Waterloo's Water Providers
With 3 utilities splitting service in Waterloo, IA, water accountability is distributed across 5 systems on the federal record.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 4 ZIP codes in Waterloo, Iowa (population ~69,339), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 119,608 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 3 of 4 ZIP codes.
1 of 3 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (33%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Waterloo: D (50/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Waterloo water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0023 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 3 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 4 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 2 | 1 |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50701 | D | 2 | 0 | Waterloo Water Works |
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50702 | D | Waterloo Water Works | 69,504 |
| 50703 | D | Waterloo Water Works | 69,504 |
All ZIP Codes in Waterloo
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Waterloo Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Waterloo's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Waterloo Infrastructure Age
With 82% 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
Housing age is one of the most reliable proxies for plumbing-era lead risk, because two federal milestones - the widespread use of lead pipes before 1970 and the continued use of lead solder until 1986 - define the highest-risk tiers of the residential housing stock. With a median build year of 1957, Waterloo falls squarely within the older range - meaning a large fraction of the housing was built under the plumbing standards of those earlier eras. The distribution above captures where that risk concentrates, and why older neighborhoods warrant particular attention from residents concerned about tap water quality.
Over half of homes in Waterloo 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 Waterloo
When the numbers for Waterloo 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 2.2% of home value, remediation costs in Waterloo represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $2,100–$4,275. Home values here are 11% below the Iowa average.
Waterloo: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Confirming what arrives at a specific faucet is something utility-side averages cannot do. With 82% of Waterloo stock built before the lead-solder ban and citywide monitoring at or beyond the regulatory mark, a tap-level kit fits the standard diligence picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Waterloo: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Waterloo contains 387 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $18,859. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 75% 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>$3,150</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.
What You Can Do in Waterloo
- 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 Gross Beta can reduce the most common contaminant found in Waterloo's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 82% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Waterloo, IA