Monitoring Violations IA

Osceola Rural Water System-south

EPA ID: IA7177701 · 2,112 people served · 1 ZIP code

With 1 unresolved EPA violation, Osceola Rural Water System-south is currently out of full compliance — approximately 2,112 people in its service area.

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

C · 64
Avg Safety Score
2,112
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0017 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$116K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Demographics

$61,833
Median Household Income
1,020
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
60th
Energy Burden Percentile
94%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Osceola Rural Water System-south serves a community with a median household income of $61,833 and an estimated 1,020 residents across its service area. Approximately 94% 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

Osceola Rural Water System-south'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
0th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in O'Brien 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

82 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Osceola Rural Water System-south compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

D 9 violations
C 2 violations
0 violations
Northwood Waterworks
2,072 people
B 2 violations
C 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $1,200

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 $1,200 (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

Osceola Rural Water System-south (EPA ID: IA7177701) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 2,112 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 51058 in Sutherland.

Average Home Safety Score: C (64/100)

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, 2024 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 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
51058 0.0017 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Osceola Rural Water System-south (IA7177701) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Osceola Rural Water System-south water safe to drink?

Osceola Rural Water System-south has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Osceola Rural Water System-south serve?

Osceola Rural Water System-south serves approximately 2,112 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Osceola Rural Water System-south 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
866
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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: 2,112
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 Osceola Rural Water System-south safe to drink?
Osceola Rural Water System-south has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Osceola Rural Water System-south's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant 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 Osceola Rural Water System-south serve?
Osceola Rural Water System-south serves approximately 2,112 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Osceola Rural Water System-south's water source?
Osceola Rural Water System-south draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Osceola Rural Water System-south's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0017 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Osceola Rural Water System-south's service area?
The Osceola Rural Water System-south service area has a median household income of $61,833. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Osceola Rural Water System-south get its water?
Osceola Rural Water System-south'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.

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

Osceola Rural Water System-south (EPA ID: IA7177701) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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