Water System Report IA

Montrose Water Works

EPA ID: IA5650003 · 738 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Even as other utilities in the region logged violations, Montrose Water Works kept a clean EPA record — five years, no issues, 738 people served.

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

738
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$129K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$67,969
Median Household Income
2,185
Service Area Population
27%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Montrose Water Works serves a community with a median household income of $67,969 and an estimated 2,185 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Montrose Water Works's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
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.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.

Infrastructure Risk

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
21 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 70% 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

D 1 violation
0 violations
C 1 violation
D 0 violations
B 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Flood Insurance $1,500
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $3,200

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.

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 $3,200 (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

MONTROSE WATER WORKS (EPA ID: IA5650003) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 738 people from surface water sources.

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

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.

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 Montrose Water Works (IA5650003) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Montrose Water Works water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Montrose Water Works serve?

Montrose Water Works serves approximately 738 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Montrose Water Works get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
245
Unknown Material
80
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 738
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

Should I use a water filter?
Montrose 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 Montrose Water Works serve?
Montrose Water Works serves approximately 738 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Montrose Water Works's water source?
Montrose Water Works draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Montrose Water Works's service area?
The Montrose Water Works service area has a median household income of $67,969. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Montrose Water Works get its water?
Montrose Water Works's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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