Fayette County, Iowa
12 ZIP codes · Avg score 64/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Compared to top-scoring counties, Fayette County's 12 ZIP codes land in the middle tier — some meet standards cleanly, others carry documented violations, and the gap between the best and worst areas is wider than average.
How Fayette County Compares
How Fayette County Compares
Fayette County scores 5 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 4 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Fayette County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.6 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 13.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,129, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.484% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
79% 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: $1,129
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
8,939 housing units in Fayette 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 Fayette County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Fayette 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 Fayette 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 Fayette County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fayette Water Supply | 1,256 | 1 |
| 2 | Arlington Water Supply | 419 | 0 |
| 3 | Maynard Water Supply | 476 | 0 |
| 4 | Oelwein Municipal Water Works | 5,920 | 0 |
| 5 | Delaware Municipal Water Supply | 142 | 0 |
12 total water systems serve Fayette County.
All ZIP Codes in Fayette County
12 ZIP codes tracked in Fayette County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50655 | Maynard | 70 | B | 0 | $140K |
| 2 | 52142 | Fayette | 70 | B | 1 | $183K |
| 3 | 52147 | Hawkeye | 70 | B | 0 | $151K |
| 4 | 52169 | Wadena | 70 | B | 0 | $113K |
| 5 | 52175 | West Union | 70 | B | 0 | $162K |
| 6 | 50681 | Westgate | 66 | C | 0 | $139K |
| 7 | 52135 | Clermont | 66 | C | 0 | $120K |
| 8 | 50662 | Oelwein | 65 | C | 0 | $108K |
| 9 | 52171 | Waucoma | 59 | C | 0 | $189K |
| 10 | 52141 | Elgin | 56 | C | 0 | $96K |
| 11 | 50606 | Arlington | 55 | C | 0 | $112K |
| 12 | 52164 | Randalia | 53 | D | 0 | $121K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Fayette County
Methodologically, the recommendation order reflects severity in the federal record: contaminants flagged in EPA detection records for this county outrank generic water concerns, FEMA-confirmed hazard ratings shift emergency-related categories upward, and CDC lead-exposure markers govern when lead-test kits and certified filters appear at the top of the list.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 79% 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 Fayette County, Iowa
Overview
Fayette County in Iowa covers 12 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (64/100).
1 of 12 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.