Water System Report IA

Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak)

EPA ID: IA6950701 · 3,500 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Zero EPA violations over five years — Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) has kept tap water compliance clean for its full service population of 3,500.

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

3,500
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$126K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$56,511
Median Household Income
13,686
Service Area Population
39%
Disadvantaged Population
63th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
83%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) serves a community with a median household income of $56,511 and an estimated 13,686 residents across its service area. Approximately 83% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 39% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak)'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
43th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
17th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Montgomery 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

64 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
6 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 91% 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. 1 detection 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

C 0 violations
Xenia Rwd (woodward)
3,465 people
0 violations
Rural Water System #1
3,428 people
C 1 violation
C 0 violations
C 1 violation

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 $800
PFAS Treatment $167
Total Estimated Cost $2,167

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 $2,167 (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

Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) (EPA ID: IA6950701) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 3,500 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 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 Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) (IA6950701) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) serve?

Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) serves approximately 3,500 people across 3 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) 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:

2
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
951
Unknown Material
316
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 2024-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 3,500
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?
Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) serve?
Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) serves approximately 3,500 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak)'s water source?
Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak)'s service area?
The Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) service area has a median household income of $56,511. EPA EJScreen data classifies 39% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak) get its water?
Southwest Reg Water District (red Oak)'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.
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