Palo Alto County, Iowa
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 56/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-04
Spanning 8 ZIP codes, Palo Alto County lands near the national median for water safety — compliance results are mixed, and the county's middle-grade standing reflects genuine variability rather than a single systemic problem.
How Palo Alto County Compares
How Palo Alto County Compares
Palo Alto County scores 3 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 12 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Palo Alto 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 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 12.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $815, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.496% avg pipe failure probability, 88% of ZIPs at high risk
82.6% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2021–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Palo Alto County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 18 total (18 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $815
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
4,814 housing units in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto 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 Palo Alto County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MALLARD WATER SUPPLY | 257 | 12 |
| 2 | West Bend Water Department | 791 | 2 |
| 3 | Rodman Water System | 31 | 2 |
| 4 | RUTHVEN WATER SUPPLY | 779 | 0 |
| 5 | Emmetsburg Municipal Water Department | 3,733 | 0 |
7 total water systems serve Palo Alto County.
All ZIP Codes in Palo Alto County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Palo Alto County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50536 | Emmetsburg | 70 | B | 0 | $121K |
| 2 | 51358 | Ruthven | 70 | B | 0 | $147K |
| 3 | 51342 | Graettinger | 66 | C | 0 | $102K |
| 4 | 50597 | West Bend | 64 | C | 2 | $183K |
| 5 | 51333 | Dickens | 53 | D | 0 | $182K |
| 6 | 50562 | Mallard | 46 | D | 12 (10 health) | $76K |
| 7 | 50515 | Ayrshire | 40 | D | 0 | $27K |
| 8 | 50527 | Curlew | 40 | D | 0 | $84K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Palo Alto County
Retailer arrangements don't shape what appears here — the selection logic is independent, filtered against EPA detections and the federal hazard data on file for this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 82.6% of homes built before 1978
- Best Under-Sink Reverse Osmosis Systems — Multi-contaminant removal at the kitchen tap
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Palo Alto County, Iowa
Overview
Palo Alto County in Iowa covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (56/100).
2 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 10 health-based violations 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.