Worth County, Iowa
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 65/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Current EPA records place Worth County in the middle tier for drinking water safety, with 7 ZIP codes showing a range of outcomes.
How Worth County Compares
How Worth County Compares
Worth County scores 6 points above the Iowa state average (59/100) and 3 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Worth County, Iowa
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 14.3 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 12.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $846, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.536% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
85% 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: $846
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,372 housing units in Worth 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 Worth County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Worth 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 Worth 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 Worth County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nora Springs Water Supply | 1,369 | 7 |
| 2 | Manly Water Supply | 1,266 | 7 |
| 3 | Meservey Water Supply | 222 | 7 |
| 4 | Alexander Water Department | 164 | 7 |
| 5 | Rowan Muni Water Supply | 124 | 7 |
11 total water systems serve Worth County.
All ZIP Codes in Worth County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Worth County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50459 | Northwood | 70 | B | 1 | $148K |
| 2 | 50440 | Grafton | 66 | C | 0 | $99K |
| 3 | 50446 | Joice | 66 | C | 0 | $163K |
| 4 | 50448 | Kensett | 66 | C | 1 | $124K |
| 5 | 50434 | Fertile | 64 | C | 6 | — |
| 6 | 50444 | Hanlontown | 63 | C | 3 | $152K |
| 7 | 50456 | Manly | 58 | C | 7 | $119K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Worth County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 85% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Worth County, Iowa
Overview
Worth County in Iowa covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (65/100).
5 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.