Wapello County, Iowa
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 55/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Recent monitoring in Wapello County's 7 ZIP codes shows middle-tier safety — some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.
How Wapello County Compares
How Wapello County Compares
Wapello County scores 4 points below the Iowa state average (59/100) and 13 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Wapello County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.9 (asthma 10.4%, diabetes 13.6%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $837, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.459% avg pipe failure probability, 71% of ZIPs at high risk
75.9% 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: $837
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
15,408 housing units in Wapello 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 Wapello County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Wapello 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 Wapello 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 Wapello County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rathbun Regional Water Assn (rathbun) | 33,000 | 7 |
| 2 | Eldon Water Supply | 927 | 6 |
| 3 | Ottumwa Water Works | 25,529 | 3 |
| 4 | Leisure Living Manf Home Community | 150 | 3 |
| 5 | Wapello Rural Water Assoc. | 17,263 | 3 |
7 total water systems serve Wapello County.
All ZIP Codes in Wapello County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Wapello County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 52530 | Agency | 70 | B | 0 | $176K |
| 2 | 52536 | Blakesburg | 64 | C | 1 | $140K |
| 3 | 52554 | Eldon | 62 | C | 3 | $94K |
| 4 | 52501 | Ottumwa | 57 | C | 3 | $110K |
| 5 | 52588 | Selma | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 6 | 52560 | Floris | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 7 | 52594 | Unionville | 40 | D | 0 | $184K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Wapello County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 75.9% 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 Wapello County, Iowa
Overview
Wapello County in Iowa covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (55/100).
3 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.