Spencer Municipal Water Utility
EPA ID: IA2171071 · 11,325 people served · 1 ZIP code
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Spencer Municipal Water Utility (IA2171071): no EPA violations recorded in the last five years. Unlike many utilities its size, Spencer Municipal Water Utility carries a violation-free five-year record - no EPA notices, no MCL exceedances, serving 11,325 people.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Spencer Municipal Water Utility Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Spencer Municipal Water Utility serves a community with a median household income of $61,175 and an estimated 12,402 residents across its service area. Approximately 73% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Spencer Municipal Water Utility'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.
Infrastructure Risk
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Iowa
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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
Spencer Municipal Water Utility (EPA ID: IA2171071) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 11,325 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 51301 in Spencer.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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 FilterFree 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.
- 51301 - Spencer
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Spencer Municipal Water Utility (IA2171071) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spencer Municipal Water Utility water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Spencer Municipal Water Utility in the inclusive 2021-2026 record-year window. This is a compliance-record finding, not a guarantee about water at a specific tap.
How many people does Spencer Municipal Water Utility serve?
Spencer Municipal Water Utility serves approximately 11,325 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.
Where does Spencer Municipal Water Utility 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.
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 →
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Spencer Municipal Water Utility, IA: Serves 11K People. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ia2171071/
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