ZipCheckup grade for 50073: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: test this home for radon. Check your ZIP → EPA radon map
Elkhart, IA (50073): High Radon Potential Area - 67/100
EPA data combined for 3 water systems mapped to this ZIP (largest mapped system: Des Moines Water Works)
EPA records for the water systems mapped to 50073 in Elkhart, IA contain zero recorded violations for inclusive record years 2021 through 2026. This does not establish that every category was monitored or published, and it does not cover events outside that source window.
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) SDWIS
At a Glance
- Water No drinking-water violations in EPA records since 2021.
- Lead The reported 90th-percentile lead result is below the laboratory reporting limit, not a measured zero; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
- PFAS PFAS detected in UCMR5 sampling; see the PFAS section for each compound, compared with the federal PFAS MCL where one exists.
- Radon EPA Zone 1 - highest county-level potential. This is not a home measurement; test before any threshold comparison.
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Records for Elkhart (50073) show 1 high-priority flag and no critical-level flag on record.
Score Breakdown
Overall Home Safety Score: 67/100
This is the published model score. Component and domain values are shown independently; they are not added together on this page.
Canonical components
Required domains
Coverage: 4 of 4 components and 3 of 3 domains observed.
Model 4.0.0; series home-safety-v4-cross-vertical.
Safety & Health (8) HIGH
Your Water System
ZIP code 50073 in Elkhart, Iowa is mapped to the water system Des Moines Water Works (EPA ID: IA7727031). This system provides water to approximately 246,055 people from surface water sources.
There are 3 community water systems serving this area.
Water Systems Serving This Area
| System Name | EPA ID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Des Moines Water Works | IA7727031 | 246,055 | Surface water |
| City of Ankeny, | IA7709053 | 76,207 | Surface water |
| Bondurant Muni Water Supply | IA7717032 | 9,393 | Surface water |
Other Water Quality Reports in Iowa
- 50001 (Ackworth) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50002 (Adair)
- 50003 (Adel) - 9 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50005 (Albion)
- 50006 (Alden)
- 50007 (Alleman)
- 50008 (Allerton)
- 50009 (Altoona) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50010 (Ames) - 4 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50011 (Ames)
- 50012 (Ames) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50013 (Ames) - 2 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50014 (Ames) - 5 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50020 (Anita)
- 50021 (Ankeny)
- 50022 (Atlantic)
- 50023 (Ankeny)
- 50025 (Audubon)
- 50026 (Bagley)
- 50027 (Barnes City)
Nearby Water Quality Reports
- 50007 (Alleman) - 5 mi
- 50021 (Ankeny) - 5 mi
- 50035 (Bondurant) - 7 mi
- 50023 (Ankeny) - 7 mi
- 50046 (Cambridge) - 8 mi
- 50124 (Huxley) - 9 mi - 3 violations recorded for mapped water systems
- 50301 (Des Moines) - 9 mi
- 50302 (Des Moines) - 9 mi
- 50303 (Des Moines) - 9 mi
- 50304 (Des Moines) - 9 mi
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View available EPA compliance records for Des Moines Water Works (IA7727031) on EPA.gov.
5 of the top compounds applied across the surrounding county in USGS pesticide-use estimates appear on EPA drinking-water monitoring lists. See the agricultural pesticide-use section.
PFAS Contamination Detected
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been reported in samples from water systems associated with ZIP code 50073.
Detected compounds: PFHxS.
Highest measured level: 0.0035 µg/L
Reverse osmosis (RO) and activated carbon block filters can reduce PFAS at the tap. Certifications list the compounds covered: an NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 claim for PFOA/PFOS does not cover every PFAS, so check that the product lists the compounds detected here.
Environmental Hazards (10) MODERATE
Home & Infrastructure (6) OK
Cost & Community (8) HIGH
CPSC product recall notices
These national notices are not matched to this ZIP code or water system.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water in 50073 safe to drink?
EPA SDWIS records 0 violations since 2021 across the water systems mapped to ZIP 50073 (primary system: Des Moines Water Works), including 0 health-based. The violation table above shows which system each record belongs to. ZipCheckup last updated this page in July 2026. The federal source release date is unavailable, so that month is not presented as source currency.
Where does 50073's water come from?
The recorded water source for Des Moines Water Works, a system mapped to ZIP code 50073, is Surface water. This system serves approximately 246,055 people.
How does Elkhart water compare to the national average?
Elkhart's Home Safety Score ranks lower than 65% of U.S. ZIP codes, and lower than 59% of ZIP codes within Iowa.
How can I get my water tested in Elkhart?
If Des Moines Water Works supplies your home, contact it for its Consumer Confidence Report; otherwise contact the water utility that serves your address, or hire a certified lab for independent home water testing. The EPA recommends annual testing if you use a private well.
What is the radon risk for 50073?
50073 is mapped to a county in EPA Radon Zone 1 (high county-level radon potential; EPA recommends testing every home), located in Polk County. EPA radon zones range from Zone 1 (highest county-level potential) to Zone 3 (lowest). Testing your home is recommended regardless of zone.
Are there PFAS (forever chemicals) in 50073's water?
Yes, PFAS have been detected in samples from water systems mapped to 50073. Reverse osmosis and activated carbon filters certified to NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 specifically for PFOA/PFOS reduction can reduce PFAS.
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (2026). Elkhart, IA (50073): High Radon Potential Area - 67/100. https://zipcheckup.com/report/50073/
@misc{zipcheckup-report-50073,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Elkhart, IA (50073): High Radon Potential Area - 67/100}},
year = {2026},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/report/50073/}
}
Page version: October 2026.
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
Water quality comparison for ZIP codes near 50073
| ZIP Code | City, State | Distance | Grade | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50007 | Alleman, IA | 4.6 mi | C | 0 |
| 50021 | Ankeny, IA | 5.4 mi | C | 0 |
| 50035 | Bondurant, IA | 7.2 mi | C | 0 |
| 50023 | Ankeny, IA | 7.3 mi | C | 0 |
| 50046 | Cambridge, IA | 7.7 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 50124 | Huxley, IA | 8.5 mi | N/A | 3 |
| 50301 | Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 50302 | Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 50303 | Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
| 50304 | Des Moines, IA | 8.6 mi | N/A | 0 |
Nearby ZIP Code Reports
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