Poweshiek County, Iowa
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04
Unlike better-scoring counties, Poweshiek County records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its 8 ZIP codes — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Poweshiek County Compares
How Poweshiek County Compares
Poweshiek County scores 8 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Poweshiek County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.8 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 11.7%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $644, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.463% avg pipe failure probability, 88% of ZIPs at high risk
76.5% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Poweshiek County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 8 violations. Past 5 years: 11 total (11 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: $644
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
9,065 housing units in Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek 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 Poweshiek County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grinnell Water Department | 9,564 | 24 |
| 2 | Lake Ridge, Incorporated | 1,300 | 24 |
| 3 | Modern Manor, Inc. | 915 | 24 |
| 4 | Western Hills (mobile) Estates | 760 | 24 |
| 5 | Sunrise Village Mobile Home Pk | 340 | 24 |
12 total water systems serve Poweshiek County.
All ZIP Codes in Poweshiek County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Poweshiek County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50157 | Malcom | 66 | C | 0 | $101K |
| 2 | 52211 | Brooklyn | 66 | C | 0 | $161K |
| 3 | 50171 | Montezuma | 63 | C | 0 | $189K |
| 4 | 52222 | Deep River | 55 | C | 0 | $113K |
| 5 | 50104 | Gibson | 40 | D | 0 | $192K |
| 6 | 52221 | Guernsey | 40 | D | 0 | $227K |
| 7 | 52232 | Hartwick | 40 | D | 0 | $235K |
| 8 | 50112 | Grinnell | 36 | F | 24 (6 health) | $198K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Poweshiek County
While many sites publish identical guide lists across every county they cover, the selection here changes by location — driven by the EPA, NSF, FEMA, and CDC datasets that describe the actual conditions documented for this jurisdiction in the federal record.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 76.5% 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 Poweshiek County, Iowa
Overview
Poweshiek County in Iowa covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
1 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 6 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.
What You Can Do
Poweshiek 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
76.5% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.