Monitoring Violations IA

La Porte City Utilities

EPA ID: IA0743057 · 2,284 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Past issues aside, La Porte City Utilities cleared all 1 violation and is compliant today, supplying 2,284 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 60
Avg Safety Score
2,284
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$178K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for La Porte City Utilities Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$71,252
Median Household Income
33,094
Service Area Population
34%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
79%
Pre-1986 Housing

The La Porte City Utilities serves a community with a median household income of $71,252 and an estimated 33,094 residents across its service area. Approximately 79% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 34% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

La Porte City Utilities's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Black Hawk County, Iowa rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

63 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
3 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 95% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How La Porte City Utilities compares to EPA limits

Gross Beta 1 pCi/L (2% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 50 pCi/L

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 4 detections recorded. 1 exceeds federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Peosta Water Supply
2,278 people
B 0 violations
Colfax Water Supply
2,305 people
C 0 violations
C 4 violations
Ely Water Supply
2,328 people
B 0 violations
Lisbon Water Supply
2,233 people
C 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,700

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (one-time) vs. $5,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

La Porte City Utilities (EPA ID: IA0743057) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 2,284 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (60/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 monitoring/reporting violation recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Gross Beta Radionuclides 1 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
50651 0.001 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for La Porte City Utilities (IA0743057) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is La Porte City Utilities water safe to drink?

La Porte City Utilities has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does La Porte City Utilities serve?

La Porte City Utilities serves approximately 2,284 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does La Porte City Utilities get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

7
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
940
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,284
Reported to Iowa

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from La Porte City Utilities safe to drink?
La Porte City Utilities has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in La Porte City Utilities's water?
Detected contaminants include Gross Beta. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 recorded violation, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does La Porte City Utilities serve?
La Porte City Utilities serves approximately 2,284 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is La Porte City Utilities's water source?
La Porte City Utilities draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in La Porte City Utilities's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.001 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of La Porte City Utilities's service area?
The La Porte City Utilities service area has a median household income of $71,252. EPA EJScreen data classifies 34% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does La Porte City Utilities get its water?
La Porte City Utilities's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

La Porte City Utilities (EPA ID: IA0743057) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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