Buchanan County, Iowa
10 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
While Buchanan County's situation varies by ZIP, its 10 ZIP codes collectively fall below the state average — addressing specific concerns starts with checking the system that serves a given address.
How Buchanan County Compares
How Buchanan County Compares
Buchanan County scores 8 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Buchanan County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.5 (asthma 10%, diabetes 11.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,116, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.467% avg pipe failure probability, 90% of ZIPs at high risk
80.8% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
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: $1,116
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
7,383 housing units in Buchanan 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 Buchanan County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Buchanan 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 Buchanan 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 Buchanan County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hazleton Water Supply | 713 | 4 |
| 2 | Hazleton Mobile Home Park | 90 | 4 |
| 3 | LAMONT WATER SUPPLY | 429 | 2 |
| 4 | Fairbank Water Supply | 1,111 | 1 |
| 5 | Independence Water Department | 6,064 | 0 |
9 total water systems serve Buchanan County.
All ZIP Codes in Buchanan County
10 ZIP codes tracked in Buchanan County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50682 | Winthrop | 70 | B | 0 | $182K |
| 2 | 50629 | Fairbank | 65 | C | 1 | $194K |
| 3 | 50641 | Hazleton | 61 | C | 4 | $159K |
| 4 | 52326 | Quasqueton | 53 | D | 0 | $127K |
| 5 | 50644 | Independence | 50 | D | 0 | $174K |
| 6 | 50650 | Lamont | 49 | D | 2 | $105K |
| 7 | 50607 | Aurora | 40 | D | 0 | $153K |
| 8 | 50654 | Masonville | 40 | D | 0 | $177K |
| 9 | 50664 | Oran | 40 | D | 0 | $120K |
| 10 | 50671 | Stanley | 40 | D | 0 | $112K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Buchanan County
Editorial methodology pairs each documented risk in this county with the buyer category that addresses it, drawing on water-quality detections, housing-stock lead exposure, EPA Radon Zone designation, and FEMA flood and wildfire ratings. NSF-certified options surface where applicable, and products that match the specific contaminant take priority.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 80.8% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Buchanan County, Iowa
Overview
Buchanan County in Iowa covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
3 of 10 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← 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.
What You Can Do
Buchanan County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
80.8% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.