Lee County, Iowa
10 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Lee County's 10 ZIP codes show a poor compliance record — repeated MCL exceedances have kept the county in the bottom tier for water safety.
How Lee County Compares
How Lee County Compares
Lee County scores 6 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Lee County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.4 (asthma 10.2%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $972, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.433% avg pipe failure probability, 67% of ZIPs at high risk
72.2% 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: $972
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
15,727 housing units in Lee 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 Lee County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Lee 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 Lee 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 Lee County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rathbun Reg Water Assn (ft Madison) | 11,840 | 5 |
| 2 | MONTROSE WATER WORKS | 738 | 2 |
| 3 | WEST POINT MUNI WATER SYSTEM | 921 | 2 |
| 4 | Ft Madison Muni Water Works | 11,087 | 1 |
| 5 | Donnellson Muni Water Works | 885 | 0 |
6 total water systems serve Lee County.
All ZIP Codes in Lee County
10 ZIP codes tracked in Lee County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52625 | Donnellson | 70 | B | 0 | $201K |
| 2 | 52639 | Montrose | 69 | C | 2 | $146K |
| 3 | 52632 | Keokuk | 63 | C | 0 | $108K |
| 4 | 52656 | West Point | 54 | D | 2 | $209K |
| 5 | 52619 | Argyle | 53 | D | 0 | $113K |
| 6 | 52627 | Fort Madison | 52 | D | 1 | $112K |
| 7 | 52658 | Wever | 45 | D | 0 | $227K |
| 8 | 52624 | Denmark | 40 | D | 0 | $195K |
| 9 | 52648 | Pilot Grove | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 10 | 52657 | Saint Paul | 40 | D | 0 | $158K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Lee County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 72.2% 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 Lee County, Iowa
Overview
Lee County in Iowa covers 10 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
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
Lee 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
72.2% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.