Monitoring Violations IA

Martelle Water Works

EPA ID: IA5337046 · 249 people served · 15 ZIP codes

While 2 violations did appear in Martelle Water Works's five-year monitoring record, none remain unresolved — the utility has returned to full compliance and continues to serve approximately 249 residents under all current EPA drinking water standards.

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

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
249
People Served
15
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0047 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$71,319
Median Household Income
145,972
Service Area Population
20%
Disadvantaged Population
41th
Poverty Percentile
33th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Martelle Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $71,319 and an estimated 145,972 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% 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

Martelle 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
51th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
76th
Superfund Site Proximity

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

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 76th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Unknown
Pipe Material
18 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 74% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Martelle Water Works compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Leland Water Supply
249 people
0 violations
Quimby Water Supply
249 people
C 1 violation
D 0 violations
0 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $940
Water Filtration $280
Total Estimated Cost $2,420

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 $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,420 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

Martelle Water Works (EPA ID: IA5337046) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 249 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 15 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

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

2 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Surface Water Treatment Rule Treatment Failure 2 No

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
52305 0.0047 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 Martelle Water Works (IA5337046) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Martelle Water Works water safe to drink?

Martelle Water Works has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Martelle Water Works serve?

Martelle Water Works serves approximately 249 people across 15 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Martelle Water Works 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:

2
Confirmed Lead
22
Galvanized — Replacement Required
26
Unknown Material
82
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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 249
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 Martelle Water Works safe to drink?
Martelle Water Works has a C safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Martelle Water Works's water?
Detected contaminants include Surface Water Treatment Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant 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 Martelle Water Works serve?
Martelle Water Works serves approximately 249 people with drinking water across 15 ZIP codes.
What is Martelle Water Works's water source?
Martelle Water Works draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Martelle Water Works's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0047 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Martelle Water Works's service area?
The Martelle Water Works service area has a median household income of $71,319. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Martelle Water Works get its water?
Martelle 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

Martelle Water Works (EPA ID: IA5337046) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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