CITY REPORT IA

West Liberty, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for West Liberty: C.

A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.

Neither high nor low, the composite grade for West Liberty, IA is a C, built from ZIP-level scores.

How West Liberty Compares

West Liberty67/100
Iowa avg63/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
0
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
C · 67
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
County Radon Potential (High)
$198K
Median Home Value

West Liberty Water: The Quick Version

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.006 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 67% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 13.79.

Water Systems Serving West Liberty

Among 2 systems linked to West Liberty, IA, the 2 biggest by population served appear below.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in West Liberty, Iowa, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 5,023 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.

The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for West Liberty: C (67/100)

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

West Liberty water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0060 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 1.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Areas with No Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score System Population
52776 C West Liberty Water Utility 3,938

All ZIP Codes in West Liberty

Data Sources

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

CDC Health Data for West Liberty

9.8%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.3%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16.8%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 9.8% ↓
Diabetes 12.3% ↑
Mental Health 16.8% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

How Old Is West Liberty's Housing Stock?

1976
Median Build Year
67%
Built Before 1986
46%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Median construction year in West Liberty: 1976, set against the 1986 federal lead limits for new plumbing.

1976
Median Year Built
67%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
46%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (46%) 1970–1986 (21%) Post-1986 (33%)

Over half of homes in West Liberty were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Protecting Children from Lead in West Liberty

67%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.006
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

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

Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for West Liberty

19
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$14,334
Avg Reported Sum With Payment Data
100%
A/V Share of Claim-Record ZIPs

Historical NFIP data for West Liberty contains 19 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $14,334. 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.

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 West Liberty

  1. Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages - your tap may differ. Check the certification, price and turnaround time of any water test kit or lab service.
  2. Install a certified water filter. Choose a pitcher or under-sink filter certified to reduce the specific contaminants of concern.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for West Liberty, IA?
West Liberty has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100 (Grade C) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. The available EPA record reports no violations for ZIP codes with reported counts. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
Does West Liberty water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of West Liberty is 0.006 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does West Liberty compare to Iowa average?
West Liberty has an average Home Safety Score of 67/100, which is at or above the Iowa state average of 63/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve West Liberty?
Our records map 2 water systems to 1 ZIP code in West Liberty. The related population figure in our data is approximately 5,023 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). West Liberty, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/west-liberty/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-ia-west-liberty,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{West Liberty, IA: High Radon Potential Area - Home Safety 67/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/ia/west-liberty/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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