Water System Report IA

Alta Municipal Water Plant

EPA ID: IA1108025 · 2,087 people served · 1 ZIP code

Over five tracked years, Alta Municipal Water Plant has stayed completely violation-free for its 2,087 residents.

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

2,087
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$145K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Alta Municipal Water Plant Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$69,375
Median Household Income
2,866
Service Area Population
33%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
80%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Alta Municipal Water Plant serves a community with a median household income of $69,375 and an estimated 2,866 residents across its service area. Approximately 80% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 33% 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

Alta Municipal Water Plant'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Buena Vista County, Iowa rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

76 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

C 2 violations
Northwood Waterworks
2,072 people
B 2 violations
D 9 violations
Britt Water Works
2,064 people
C 3 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $1,200

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.

System Overview

Alta Municipal Water Plant (EPA ID: IA1108025) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 2,087 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 51002 in Alta.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Alta Municipal Water Plant (IA1108025) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Alta Municipal Water Plant water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Alta Municipal Water Plant has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Alta Municipal Water Plant serve?

Alta Municipal Water Plant serves approximately 2,087 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Alta Municipal Water Plant 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:

12
Confirmed Lead
78
Galvanized — Replacement Required
63
Unknown Material
743
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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,087
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

Should I use a water filter?
Alta Municipal Water Plant meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Alta Municipal Water Plant serve?
Alta Municipal Water Plant serves approximately 2,087 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Alta Municipal Water Plant's water source?
Alta Municipal Water Plant draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Alta Municipal Water Plant's service area?
The Alta Municipal Water Plant service area has a median household income of $69,375. EPA EJScreen data classifies 33% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Alta Municipal Water Plant get its water?
Alta Municipal Water Plant'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.
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