Monitoring Violations IA

Emerson Water Department

Name: Water Quality Data for Emerson Water Department
Creator: ZipCheckup
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

EPA ID: IA6520019 · 412 people served · 1 ZIP code

A total of 1 EPA violation spanning the past five monitoring years sit on Emerson Water Department's record — every finding has been officially cleared, and the supplier now holds current compliance status for its service population of approximately 412 people, with no outstanding enforcement of any kind.

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

C · 65

Avg Safety Score

412

People Served

ZIP Code Served

Violations (5yr)

Groundwater

Water Source

0.004 mg/L

Max Lead Level

Zone 1

Radon Risk · High

Contaminants Flagged

$134K

Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$62,727

Median Household Income

828

Service Area Population

Disadvantaged Population

50th

Poverty Percentile

40th

Energy Burden Percentile

86%

Pre-1986 Housing

The Emerson Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $62,727 and an estimated 828 residents across its service area. Approximately 86% 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

Emerson Water Department'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

20th

Wastewater Discharge Proximity

30th

Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Mills 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

125 yr

Avg Pipe Age

Galvanized Steel or Lead

Pipe Material

0 yr

Est. Remaining Life

Moderate Wear

Decay Status

Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Clover Ridge Subdivision

413 people

C 12 violations

Wahpeton Water Supply

408 people

0 violations

Miles Water Department

408 people

C 5 violations

Burt Water Supply

418 people

F 0 violations

Lawler Water Supply

406 people

C 2 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance

Radon Mitigation $1,200

Flood Insurance $1,200

Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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 $2,400 (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

Emerson Water Department (EPA ID: IA6520019) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 412 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 51533 in Emerson.

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

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

Recent Violations

Date	Contaminant	Type	Status
October 1, 2023	Unknown	Monitoring	Resolved

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code	Lead Level	Exceeds Limit	Sample Date
51533	0.004 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

51533 — Emerson

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Emerson Water Department (IA6520019) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Emerson Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Emerson Water Department serve?

Emerson Water Department serves approximately 412 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Emerson Water Department 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:

Confirmed Lead

Galvanized — Replacement Required

Unknown Material

110

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: 412

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 Emerson Water Department safe to drink? ▼

Emerson Water Department has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.

Should I use a water filter? ▼

Given 1 recorded violation, 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 Emerson Water Department serve? ▼

Emerson Water Department serves approximately 412 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.

What is Emerson Water Department's water source? ▼

Emerson Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.

Is there lead in Emerson Water Department's water? ▼

The maximum detected lead level is 0.004 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.

What is the demographic profile of Emerson Water Department's service area? ▼

The Emerson Water Department service area has a median household income of $62,727. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.

Where does Emerson Water Department get its water? ▼

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

Emerson Water Department (EPA ID: IA6520019) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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