Benton County, Iowa
16 ZIP codes · Avg score 58/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Benton County, 16 tracked ZIP codes reveal moderate water quality — national standards are generally met, with some documented exceptions.
How Benton County Compares
How Benton County Compares
Benton County scores 1 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 10 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Benton County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.7 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 11.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $769, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.46% avg pipe failure probability, 56% of ZIPs at high risk
69.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Benton County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2021 with 13 violations. Past 5 years: 16 total (16 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $769
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
10,977 housing units in Benton County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Benton County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Benton County, representing a small fraction of property value.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Benton County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Benton County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Belle Plaine Water Department | 2,380 | 21 |
| 2 | Victor Municipal Water Department | 875 | 21 |
| 3 | Ladora Water Supply | 229 | 21 |
| 4 | Clover Ridge Subdivision | 413 | 12 |
| 5 | Gaddis Estates Hoa | 220 | 12 |
26 total water systems serve Benton County.
All ZIP Codes in Benton County
16 ZIP codes tracked in Benton County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52313 | Mount Auburn | 70 | B | 0 | $205K |
| 2 | 52332 | Shellsburg | 70 | B | 1 | $228K |
| 3 | 52229 | Garrison | 66 | C | 0 | $170K |
| 4 | 52315 | Newhall | 66 | C | 0 | $178K |
| 5 | 52318 | Norway | 66 | C | 0 | $187K |
| 6 | 52346 | Van Horne | 66 | C | 0 | $246K |
| 7 | 52206 | Atkins | 62 | C | 3 (3 health) | $296K |
| 8 | 52345 | Urbana | 62 | C | 11 | $225K |
| 9 | 52249 | Keystone | 61 | C | 2 (2 health) | $154K |
| 10 | 52351 | Walford | 61 | C | 12 (4 health) | $275K |
| 11 | 52349 | Vinton | 60 | C | 1 | $174K |
| 12 | 52209 | Blairstown | 54 | D | 1 (1 health) | $200K |
| 13 | 52208 | Belle Plaine | 44 | D | 21 | $120K |
| 14 | 50612 | Buckingham | 40 | D | 0 | $282K |
| 15 | 52257 | Luzerne | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 16 | 52354 | Watkins | 40 | D | 0 | $191K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Benton County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 69.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Benton County, Iowa
Overview
Benton County in Iowa covers 16 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (58/100).
8 of 16 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to Iowa water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.