Monitoring Violations IA

Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department

EPA ID: IA6273005 · 12,808 people served · 5 ZIP codes

A total of 4 EPA violations spanning the past five monitoring years sit on Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department's record — every finding has been officially cleared, and the supplier now holds current compliance status for its service population of approximately 12,808 people, with no outstanding enforcement of any kind.

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

D · 47
Avg Safety Score
12,808
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.0013 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$107K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$63,125
Median Household Income
17,723
Service Area Population
29%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
72%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $63,125 and an estimated 17,723 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% 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

Oskaloosa Municipal 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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Mahaska 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

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
8 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 90% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department compares to EPA limits

Atrazine 2 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.003 mg/L
Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects

What This Means For You

Atrazine at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.003 mg/L. Endocrine disruption, cardiovascular & reproductive effects. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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 →

Atrazine was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Xenia Rwd (des Moines)
12,860 people
C 11 violations
Boone Water Works
12,704 people
C 1 violation
C 2 violations
C 3 violations
C 0 violations

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 $600
PFAS Treatment $200
Total Estimated Cost $2,000

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,000 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

OSKALOOSA MUNICIPAL WATER DEPT (EPA ID: IA6273005) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 12,808 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: D (47/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
January 1, 2024 Atrazine Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Atrazine Monitoring Resolved
October 1, 2023 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Atrazine Organic 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 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
52577 0.0013 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

Coverage: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 3 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.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department (IA6273005) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department serve?

Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department serves approximately 12,808 people across 5 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(641) 673-8476
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
1208 South 7th Street, PO Box 708, Oskaloosa, Iowa 52577

Contact information from Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Blended (groundwater + surface water)
Combines water from both groundwater and surface sources.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
Chlorine

Source: Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Source water assessment from Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department Consumer Confidence Report:
Source water assessment of South Skunk River watershed completed 2002. Potential contamination sources include soil erosion, chemicals (fertilizers, pesticides), animal agriculture, wastewater treatment facilities (including septic), petroleum products.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Multi-stage
Multiple treatment stages — typically coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. Common for surface-water systems requiring removal of particulates, microorganisms, and dissolved organic compounds before disinfection.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
Chlorine

Watershed exposure sources reported

Land-use and natural conditions identified in the utility's source-water assessment as potential contamination sources upstream of treatment.

Soil erosionFertilizers and pesticidesAnimal agricultureWastewater treatmentSeptic systemsPetroleum products

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

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.

Samples collected
116

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

64
Confirmed Lead
1
Galvanized — Replacement Required
3,664
Unknown Material
1,733
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 12,808
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 →

Notable events and violations

This section summarizes events the utility chose to disclose in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report, plus any federal compliance violations the utility recorded against itself. Both lists are utility-authored — ZipCheckup does not audit, judge, or reorder them.

Notable events from the utility's CCR

These bullet entries are the utility's own narration of operational, regulatory, or infrastructure events during the reporting period.

Notable events from Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department Consumer Confidence Report:
  • ANOMALY: Source file IA6273005.txt contains a 2022 Consumer Confidence Report titled 'QUALITY TAP WATER 2022' but displaying 2021 water quality results. The year 2024 is not present in the document. This appears to be an older CCR filed under this PWSID. Year field set to 2021 per data in document.
  • Monitoring violation February 2021 (coliform sampling — sample bottle froze in transit).
  • Di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate detected at 1.3 ppb (MCL=6 ppb).
  • Lead and copper data from 2019 — significantly outdated.

ZipCheckup note: items above reflect what the utility published in its most recent CCR. Federal violation records are also tracked separately by the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) — the SDWIS record is the authoritative federal source for any specific regulatory action.

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department safe to drink?
Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department has a D safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department's water?
Detected contaminants include Atrazine, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants 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 Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department serve?
Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department serves approximately 12,808 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department's water source?
Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0013 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department's service area?
The Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department service area has a median household income of $63,125. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department get its water?
Oskaloosa Municipal 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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Oskaloosa Municipal Water Department (EPA ID: IA6273005) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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