Water System Report IA

Oelwein Municipal Water Works

EPA ID: IA3353088 · 5,920 people served · 1 ZIP code

Zero violations in five consecutive years of EPA monitoring — Oelwein Municipal Water Works has held a clean track record across every reporting cycle in that span, with no enforcement activity of any kind on file for the full service population of 5,920 residents.

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

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
5,920
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.00417 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$108K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Oelwein Municipal Water Works Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$49,145
Median Household Income
6,497
Service Area Population
29%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
90th
Energy Burden Percentile
85%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Oelwein Municipal Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $49,145 and an estimated 6,497 residents across its service area. Approximately 85% 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

Oelwein Municipal Water Works'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
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Fayette 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

70 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
D 0 violations
Xenia Rwd (north)
6,122 people
0 violations
C 0 violations
C 3 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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

Oelwein Municipal Water Works (EPA ID: IA3353088) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 5,920 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 50662 in Oelwein.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

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
50662 0.00417 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 Oelwein Municipal Water Works (IA3353088) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oelwein Municipal Water Works water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Oelwein Municipal Water Works serve?

Oelwein Municipal Water Works serves approximately 5,920 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Oelwein Municipal Water Works 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
87

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:

1
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
180
Unknown Material
2,735
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: 5,920
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 Oelwein Municipal Water Works safe to drink?
Oelwein Municipal Water Works 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?
Oelwein Municipal Water Works meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Oelwein Municipal Water Works serve?
Oelwein Municipal Water Works serves approximately 5,920 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Oelwein Municipal Water Works's water source?
Oelwein Municipal Water Works draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Oelwein Municipal Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.00417 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Oelwein Municipal Water Works's service area?
The Oelwein Municipal Water Works service area has a median household income of $49,145. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Oelwein Municipal Water Works get its water?
Oelwein Municipal Water Works'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

Oelwein Municipal Water Works (EPA ID: IA3353088) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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