Montgomery County, Iowa
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Public water compliance in Montgomery County is below average — 7 ZIP codes, elevated violation rates.
How Montgomery County Compares
How Montgomery County Compares
Montgomery County scores 7 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 16 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Montgomery 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 10.2%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,090, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.487% avg pipe failure probability, 86% of ZIPs at high risk
88.5% 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: $1,090
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,143 housing units in Montgomery 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 Montgomery County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Montgomery 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 Montgomery 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 Montgomery County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Red Oak Water Supply | 5,596 | 4 |
| 2 | Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) | 3,500 | 4 |
| 3 | VILLISCA MUNICIPAL WATER DEPT | 1,132 | 2 |
| 4 | ELLIOTT WATER SUPPLY | 345 | 1 |
| 5 | CORNING MUNI WATER DEPARTMENT | 1,735 | 0 |
All ZIP Codes in Montgomery County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Montgomery County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 51591 | Red Oak | 65 | C | 2 | — |
| 2 | 50864 | Villisca | 64 | C | 2 | $99K |
| 3 | 51566 | Red Oak | 64 | C | 2 | $116K |
| 4 | 51532 | Elliott | 54 | D | 1 | $91K |
| 5 | 50847 | Grant | 40 | D | 0 | $58K |
| 6 | 50857 | Nodaway | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 51573 | Stanton | 40 | D | 0 | $113K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Montgomery County
Eight risk categories drive the selection — PFAS exceedance, lead above EPA action level, pre-1978 housing share, EPA Radon Zone 1, flood-top-risk, wildfire-top-risk, multi-contaminant load, and a baseline fallback — and each category maps to a specific buyer-guide track that surfaces when the county data hits its threshold for that hazard signal.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 88.5% 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 Montgomery County, Iowa
Overview
Montgomery County in Iowa covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).
4 of 7 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
Montgomery 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
88.5% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.