Water System Report IA

What Cheer Water Supply

EPA ID: IA5493016 · 607 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Federal monitoring spanning five full years has produced zero violations at What Cheer Water Supply — a clean record across every reporting cycle for a utility serving approximately 607 residents.

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

C · 55
Avg Safety Score
607
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0021 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$100K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$56,318
Median Household Income
3,683
Service Area Population
25%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
89%
Pre-1986 Housing

The What Cheer Water Supply serves a community with a median household income of $56,318 and an estimated 3,683 residents across its service area. Approximately 89% 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

What Cheer 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
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Keokuk 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

102 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Lead
Pipe Material
2 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 98% 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. 2 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

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Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $400
PFAS Treatment $333
Total Estimated Cost $1,933

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 $1,933 (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

WHAT CHEER WATER SUPPLY (EPA ID: IA5493016) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 607 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (55/100)

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
50268 0.0021 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 What Cheer Water Supply (IA5493016) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is What Cheer Water Supply water safe to drink?

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

How many people does What Cheer Water Supply serve?

What Cheer Water Supply serves approximately 607 people across 3 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does What Cheer 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:

4
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
281
Unknown Material
36
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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 646
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 What Cheer Water Supply safe to drink?
What Cheer Water Supply 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?
What Cheer 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 What Cheer Water Supply serve?
What Cheer Water Supply serves approximately 607 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is What Cheer Water Supply's water source?
What Cheer Water Supply draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in What Cheer Water Supply's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0021 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of What Cheer Water Supply's service area?
The What Cheer Water Supply service area has a median household income of $56,318. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does What Cheer Water Supply get its water?
What Cheer 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

What Cheer Water Supply (EPA ID: IA5493016) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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