Des Moines County, Iowa
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Covering 6 ZIP codes, Des Moines County falls in the average tier for tap water safety — violations appear in a meaningful share of areas, and the data suggests quality depends heavily on which specific part of the county a household sits in.
How Des Moines County Compares
How Des Moines County Compares
Des Moines County scores 0 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Des Moines County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.6 (asthma 10%, diabetes 12.3%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,062, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.462% avg pipe failure probability, 83% of ZIPs at high risk
72.3% 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: $1,062
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
18,417 housing units in Des Moines 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 Des Moines County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Des Moines 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 Des Moines 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 Des Moines County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rathbun Reg Wtr Assn (burlington) | 8,375 | 10 |
| 2 | Mediapolis Water Supply | 1,688 | 7 |
| 3 | Mediapolis Village Court | 100 | 7 |
| 4 | New London Munic Water Department | 1,910 | 2 |
| 5 | Danville Water Supply | 923 | 2 |
10 total water systems serve Des Moines County.
All ZIP Codes in Des Moines County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Des Moines County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52655 | West Burlington | 70 | B | 0 | $139K |
| 2 | 52637 | Mediapolis | 67 | C | 7 | $184K |
| 3 | 52623 | Danville | 65 | C | 2 (1 health) | $187K |
| 4 | 52601 | Burlington | 55 | C | 0 | $126K |
| 5 | 52638 | Middletown | 55 | C | 1 | $156K |
| 6 | 52650 | Sperry | 40 | D | 0 | $263K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Des Moines County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 72.3% 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 Des Moines County, Iowa
Overview
Des Moines County in Iowa covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).
3 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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.