Water System Report IA

City of Colwell

EPA ID: IA3409066 · 55 people served · 2 ZIP codes

City of Colwell carries zero EPA violations in five years — a spotless record for a utility serving 55 residents.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
55
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0032 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$101K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for City of Colwell Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$54,563
Median Household Income
464
Service Area Population
20%
Disadvantaged Population
55th
Poverty Percentile
75th
Energy Burden Percentile
86%
Pre-1986 Housing

The City of Colwell serves a community with a median household income of $54,563 and an estimated 464 residents across its service area. Approximately 86% 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

City of Colwell'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
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Chickasaw County, Iowa rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

79 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

Oak Shores
55 people
0 violations
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Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $1,200

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

City of Colwell, (EPA ID: IA3409066) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 55 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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
50620 0.0032 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 City of Colwell (IA3409066) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is City of Colwell water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, City of Colwell has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does City of Colwell serve?

City of Colwell serves approximately 55 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does City of Colwell 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
4
Unknown Material
32
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 2025-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 55
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 City of Colwell safe to drink?
City of Colwell 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?
City of Colwell meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does City of Colwell serve?
City of Colwell serves approximately 55 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is City of Colwell's water source?
City of Colwell draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in City of Colwell's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0032 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of City of Colwell's service area?
The City of Colwell service area has a median household income of $54,563. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does City of Colwell get its water?
City of Colwell'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

City of Colwell (EPA ID: IA3409066) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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