Windsor Heights, IA: High Radon Risk - Home Safety 67/100
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Windsor Heights: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Windsor Heights water quality is uneven - some service areas show clean compliance; others carry documented violations in IA EPA records.
How Windsor Heights Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Windsor Heights Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 93% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.97.
Windsor Heights's Water Providers
In Windsor Heights, IA, residential water supply is distributed across multiple utilities rather than concentrated in one. The 3 leading providers out of 3 tracked systems each control their own infrastructure, file separate EPA compliance reports, and set independent rate schedules.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Windsor Heights, Iowa (population ~5,171), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 311,937 people region-wide. 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 Windsor Heights: 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
Windsor Heights water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 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
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50324 | C | Des Moines Water Works | 246,055 |
All ZIP Codes in Windsor Heights
- 50324 [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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Windsor Heights 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
Windsor Heights Infrastructure Age
With 93% 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 1951 mean for water safety in Windsor Heights? 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 Windsor Heights 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 Windsor Heights
Is remediation financially manageable for Windsor Heights homeowners? At a moderate equity share, generally yes - with deliberate budgeting ahead of time.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Windsor Heights. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 53% above the Iowa average.
Windsor Heights: 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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 93% of the Windsor Heights inventory was built in that earlier era - a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Windsor Heights: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Windsor Heights contains 14 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $24,358. 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>$3,000</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 Windsor Heights
- 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 93% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Windsor Heights, IA