Health Violations Found IA 5 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Knierim Water Supply

EPA ID: IA1340001 · 53 people served · 1 ZIP code

Records for Knierim Water Supply show 5 violations over the monitored period, with every finding addressed and officially closed — the provider, which serves approximately 53 people, carries no outstanding enforcement actions in the current EPA dataset and meets all applicable drinking water requirements.

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

C · 60
Avg Safety Score
53
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
5
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.002 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 2 (2022) to 2 (2024). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Knierim Water Supply Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$85,313
Median Household Income
83
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
88%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Knierim Water Supply serves a community with a median household income of $85,313 and an estimated 83 residents across its service area. Approximately 88% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Knierim Water Supply'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
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Calhoun 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

126 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Knierim Water Supply compares to EPA limits

Copper 5 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 1.3 mg/L

What This Means For You

Copper at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1.3 mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

0 violations
0 violations
Oak Shores
55 people
0 violations
0 violations
City of Colwell
55 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Knierim Water Supply (EPA ID: IA1340001) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 53 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 50552 in Knierim.

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

5 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
August 1, 2024 Copper Health-based Resolved
July 1, 2024 Copper Health-based Resolved
January 1, 2023 Copper Health-based Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Copper Inorganic 5 Yes

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
50552 0.002 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Knierim Water Supply (IA1340001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Knierim Water Supply water safe to drink?

Knierim Water Supply has recorded 5 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Knierim Water Supply serve?

Knierim Water Supply serves approximately 53 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Knierim Water Supply 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
33
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 53
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 Knierim Water Supply safe to drink?
Knierim Water Supply has a C safety grade based on 5 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Knierim Water Supply's water?
Detected contaminants include Copper. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, 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 Knierim Water Supply serve?
Knierim Water Supply serves approximately 53 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Knierim Water Supply's water source?
Knierim Water Supply draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Knierim Water Supply's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.002 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Knierim Water Supply's service area?
The Knierim Water Supply service area has a median household income of $85,313. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Knierim Water Supply get its water?
Knierim Water Supply'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

Knierim Water Supply (EPA ID: IA1340001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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