Cedar Rapids Water Department
EPA ID: IA5715093 · 141,831 people served · 23 ZIP codes
Five-year compliance data for Cedar Rapids Water Department includes 29 violations the EPA has not yet marked resolved — those open findings are part of the utility's current enforcement profile, covering a service population of approximately 141,831 residents across the area it supplies.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Cedar Rapids Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Cedar Rapids Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $87,463 and an estimated 215,462 residents across its service area. Approximately 49% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Cedar Rapids Water Department'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.
About 1% of homes in Linn 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 78th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Cedar Rapids Water Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 2 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.06 mg/L. Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.
Lead and Copper Rule at 24 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Copper at 12 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 1.3 mg/L.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 3 detections recorded.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Iowa
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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
Cedar Rapids Water Department (EPA ID: IA5715093) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 141,831 people from surface water sources.
This system provides water to 23 ZIP codes across 10 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (60/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 23, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 25, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 21, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 24, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| June 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 24, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| May 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 20, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 23, 2025 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| March 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| February 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| December 1, 2024 | Copper | Monitoring | Unresolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 24 | No |
| Copper | Inorganic | 12 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 8 | No |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 7 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 3 | No |
| Lead | Inorganic | 2 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 2 | No |
| Contaminant 1003 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 1052 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Contaminant 2257 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 1 | Yes |
| Contaminant 0700 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).
Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 52332 | 0.0031 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52401 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52402 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52403 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52404 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52405 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52406 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52407 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52408 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52409 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52410 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52411 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52497 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52498 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52499 | 0.00162 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 52341 | 0.001 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: 15 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 8 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.
- 52227 — Ely
- 52228 — Fairfax
- 52233 — Hiawatha
- 52302 — Marion
- 52314 — Mount Vernon
- 52324 — Palo
- 52328 — Robins
- 52332 — Shellsburg
- 52341 — Toddville
- 52401 — Cedar Rapids
- 52402 — Cedar Rapids
- 52403 — Cedar Rapids
- 52404 — Cedar Rapids
- 52405 — Cedar Rapids
- 52406 — Cedar Rapids
- 52407 — Cedar Rapids
- 52408 — Cedar Rapids
- 52409 — Cedar Rapids
- 52410 — Cedar Rapids
- 52411 — Cedar Rapids
- 52497 — Cedar Rapids
- 52498 — Cedar Rapids
- 52499 — Cedar Rapids
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Cedar Rapids Water Department (IA5715093) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cedar Rapids Water Department water safe to drink?
Cedar Rapids Water Department has recorded 2 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.
How many people does Cedar Rapids Water Department serve?
Cedar Rapids Water Department serves approximately 141,831 people across 23 ZIP codes in Iowa.
Where does Cedar Rapids Water Department get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Cedar Rapids Water Department (EPA ID: IA5715093) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.