Water System Report IA

Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant

EPA ID: IA1178097 · 11,431 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Zero EPA violations over five years — Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant has kept tap water compliance clean for its full service population of 11,431.

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

C · 68
Avg Safety Score
11,431
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0007 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$162K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$67,425
Median Household Income
16,212
Service Area Population
33%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
79%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant serves a community with a median household income of $67,425 and an estimated 16,212 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: 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

Storm Lake Water Treatment 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

71 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 0 violations
0 violations
C 3 violations
C 2 violations
Lemars Water Department
10,571 people
B 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $900
Total Estimated Cost $2,100

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

Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant (EPA ID: IA1178097) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 11,431 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)

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

Violation History

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

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
50588 0.0007 mg/L No N/A
51002 0.0003 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 Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant (IA1178097) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant serve?

Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant serves approximately 11,431 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
58

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
142
Galvanized — Replacement Required
256
Unknown Material
3,682
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 11,431
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 →

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant safe to drink?
Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant serve?
Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant serves approximately 11,431 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant's water source?
Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0007 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant's service area?
The Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant service area has a median household income of $67,425. EPA EJScreen data classifies 33% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant get its water?
Storm Lake Water Treatment 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.

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

Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant (EPA ID: IA1178097) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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