Health Violations Found IA 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Muscatine Power & Water

EPA ID: IA7048001 · 25,516 people served · 2 ZIP codes

EPA compliance records for Muscatine Power & Water show 4 unresolved violations — findings that remain open and are tracked at the federal level, covering a service territory of approximately 25,516 people.

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

D · 54
Avg Safety Score
25,516
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
9
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
7
Contaminants Flagged
$180K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Muscatine Power & Water Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$82,171
Median Household Income
31,230
Service Area Population
32%
Disadvantaged Population
55th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
77%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Muscatine Power & Water serves a community with a median household income of $82,171 and an estimated 31,230 residents across its service area. Approximately 77% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 32% 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

Muscatine Power & Water'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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
65th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
15th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Louisa 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 65th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points.

Infrastructure Risk

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
2 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Accelerating Decay
Decay Status
Installed 97% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Muscatine Power & Water compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.08 mg/L
Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 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 1 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 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 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. 7 detections recorded. 2 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).

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 →

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

Ottumwa Water Works
25,529 people
D 3 violations
Fort Dodge Water Supply
25,874 people
F 27 violations
C 0 violations
C 0 violations
University Water System
26,684 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
PFAS Treatment $300
Water Filtration $150
Total Estimated Cost $2,850

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 $1,000

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,165
10 years
$10,330
20 years
$20,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,850 (one-time) vs. $10,330 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

Muscatine Power & Water (EPA ID: IA7048001) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 25,516 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)

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

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 4 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
February 2, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
January 1, 2025 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Unresolved
December 1, 2024 Contaminant 0700 Health-based Resolved
November 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved
August 1, 2024 Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Monitoring Unresolved
November 1, 2023 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
January 1, 2023 Copper Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 3 No
Lead Inorganic 1 No
Copper Inorganic 1 No
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No
Contaminant 0700 Other Violation 1 Yes

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
52761 0.003 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: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by IA or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Muscatine Power & Water (IA7048001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Muscatine Power & Water water safe to drink?

Muscatine Power & Water has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Muscatine Power & Water serve?

Muscatine Power & Water serves approximately 25,516 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Muscatine Power & Water get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
232
Detections
22
Latest sample
10/10/2023
Highest analyte
PFBA: 60 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 60 ppt
PFPeA 8.1 ppt
PFOA 7.2 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFBS 5.2 ppt
PFOS 4.5 ppt 10 ppt Above 2029 federal MCL
PFHxA 4.2 ppt

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:

1,990
Confirmed Lead
429
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1
Unknown Material
8,022
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: 25,516
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 →

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 Muscatine Power & Water safe to drink?
Muscatine Power & Water has a D safety grade based on 9 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Muscatine Power & Water's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM), 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 5 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 Muscatine Power & Water serve?
Muscatine Power & Water serves approximately 25,516 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Muscatine Power & Water's water source?
Muscatine Power & Water draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Muscatine Power & Water's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Muscatine Power & Water's service area?
The Muscatine Power & Water service area has a median household income of $82,171. EPA EJScreen data classifies 32% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Muscatine Power & Water get its water?
Muscatine Power & Water'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 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

Muscatine Power & Water (EPA ID: IA7048001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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