Water System Report IA

Lemars Water Department

EPA ID: IA7540174 · 10,571 people served · 1 ZIP code

From the earliest to the most recent cycle in the five-year EPA window, Lemars Water Department has logged zero violations — no MCL exceedances, no health advisories, and no enforcement activity across the entire period for the 10,571 people in its service area, a record that stands up well against both state and national benchmarks.

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

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
10,571
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0022 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$209K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$74,978
Median Household Income
12,785
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
69%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Lemars Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $74,978 and an estimated 12,785 residents across its service area. Approximately 69% 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

Lemars 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
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Plymouth 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

49 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
21 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 70% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Waverly Water Department
10,394 people
D 3 violations
C 0 violations
C 3 violations
0 violations
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,800
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $3,000

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.

System Overview

Lemars Water Department (EPA ID: IA7540174) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 10,571 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 51031 in Le Mars.

Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
51031 0.0022 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 Lemars Water Department (IA7540174) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Lemars Water Department water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Lemars Water Department has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Lemars Water Department serve?

Lemars Water Department serves approximately 10,571 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Lemars Water Department get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
58

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:

7
Confirmed Lead
45
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,400
Unknown Material
2,499
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: 10,606
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 Lemars Water Department safe to drink?
Lemars Water Department earns a B safety grade with 0 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
Should I use a water filter?
Lemars Water Department meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Lemars Water Department serve?
Lemars Water Department serves approximately 10,571 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Lemars Water Department's water source?
Lemars Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Lemars Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0022 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Lemars Water Department's service area?
The Lemars Water Department service area has a median household income of $74,978. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Lemars Water Department get its water?
Lemars 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.
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