Water System Report IA

Salem Water Supply

EPA ID: IA4478023 · 396 people served · 2 ZIP codes

From the earliest to the most recent cycle in the five-year EPA window, Salem Water Supply has logged zero violations — no MCL exceedances, no health advisories, and no enforcement activity across the entire period for the 396 people in its service area, a record that stands up well against both state and national benchmarks.

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

D · 40
Avg Safety Score
396
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$227K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$92,438
Median Household Income
921
Service Area Population
14%
Disadvantaged Population
55th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
60%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Salem Water Supply serves a community with a median household income of $92,438 and an estimated 921 residents across its service area. Approximately 60% 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

Salem 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
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
30th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Lee 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

53 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
17 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 76% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.

Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Lehigh Water Supply
395 people
D 0 violations
C 1 violation
0 violations
Stover Heights Mhc
393 people
0 violations
Union Water Supply
399 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $1,700

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:

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,700 (one-time) vs. $330 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

SALEM WATER SUPPLY (EPA ID: IA4478023) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 396 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (40/100)

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

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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 Salem Water Supply (IA4478023) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Salem Water Supply water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Salem Water Supply serve?

Salem Water Supply serves approximately 396 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Salem 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
194
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: 396
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 Salem Water Supply safe to drink?
Salem Water Supply has a D safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Salem Water Supply meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Salem Water Supply serve?
Salem Water Supply serves approximately 396 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Salem Water Supply's water source?
Salem Water Supply draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Salem Water Supply's service area?
The Salem Water Supply service area has a median household income of $92,438. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Salem Water Supply get its water?
Salem 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

Salem Water Supply (EPA ID: IA4478023) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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