Health Violations Found IA 2 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Massena Water Supply

EPA ID: IA1558055 · 364 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Not yet resolved: 4 EPA violations at Massena Water Supply, affecting about 364 residents.

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

D · 50
Avg Safety Score
364
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
11
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
6
Contaminants Flagged
$159K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Compliance Trajectory

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

Violations went from 2 (2022) to 2 (2023). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$67,784
Median Household Income
1,084
Service Area Population
37%
Disadvantaged Population
55th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
82%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Massena Water Supply serves a community with a median household income of $67,784 and an estimated 1,084 residents across its service area. Approximately 82% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 37% 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

Massena 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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
50th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Adair 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
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Massena Water Supply compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Barium 2 mg/L (100% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 2 mg/L

What This Means For You

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Lead and Copper Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Total Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

0 violations
C 1 violation
Lacona Water Supply
361 people
D 0 violations
0 violations
B 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 $150
Total Estimated Cost $1,350

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 $1,350 (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

MASSENA WATER SUPPLY (EPA ID: IA1558055) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 364 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (50/100)

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

Violation History

2 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. 4 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
March 13, 2025 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
August 27, 2024 Total Coliform Monitoring Resolved
July 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2024 Barium Monitoring Resolved
November 7, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
October 6, 2023 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Unresolved
October 1, 2023 Unknown Monitoring Resolved
September 1, 2023 Barium Health-based Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 3 No
Barium Inorganic 2 Yes
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Total Coliform Microbiological 1 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 1 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
50853 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Massena Water Supply (IA1558055) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Massena Water Supply water safe to drink?

Massena Water Supply has recorded 2 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 Massena Water Supply serve?

Massena Water Supply serves approximately 364 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Massena 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
188
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 364
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 Massena Water Supply safe to drink?
Massena Water Supply has a D safety grade based on 11 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Massena Water Supply's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, Barium. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 4 contaminants 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 Massena Water Supply serve?
Massena Water Supply serves approximately 364 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Massena Water Supply's water source?
Massena Water Supply draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Massena Water Supply'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 Massena Water Supply's service area?
The Massena Water Supply service area has a median household income of $67,784. EPA EJScreen data classifies 37% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Massena Water Supply get its water?
Massena 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 violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Massena Water Supply (EPA ID: IA1558055) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Iowa Massena Water Supply

Get safety alerts for Massena Water Supply, Iowa

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.