Grinnell Water Department
EPA ID: IA7930008 · 9,564 people served · 1 ZIP code
Right now, Grinnell Water Department shows 15 EPA violations marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 9,564 residents while each finding awaits closure.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 8 (2024) to 3 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Grinnell Water Department Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade F
Service Area Demographics
The Grinnell Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $64,707 and an estimated 11,776 residents across its service area. Approximately 72% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Grinnell 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.
About 2% of homes in Poweshiek 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
Detected Contaminants
How Grinnell Water Department compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.08 mg/L. Bladder & rectal cancer risk; reproductive concerns. Consider granular activated carbon (GAC) 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.
Gross Alpha at 5 pCi/L exceeds the EPA maximum of pCi/L. Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 5 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 3 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Iowa
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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
Grinnell Water Department (EPA ID: IA7930008) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 9,564 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 50112 in Grinnell.
Average Home Safety Score: F (36/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2025 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2025 | Gross Beta | Health-based | Unresolved |
| December 17, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| September 1, 2024 | Unknown | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Gross Alpha | Health-based | Unresolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Contaminant 1032 | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2023 | Gross Alpha | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 5 | Yes |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 5 | No |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 3 | No |
| Total Trihalomethanes (TTHM) | Disinfection Byproducts | 2 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 2 | Yes |
| Contaminant 1032 | Other Violation | 1 | No |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 1 | No |
Health Risk Details
Gross Alpha Particle Activity (EPA limit: pCi/L)
Increased cancer risk from radioactive particles At-risk groups: long-term residents in areas with uranium or radium-rich geology, people on private wells in western US.
Removal methods: reverse osmosis, ion exchange (anion exchange for radium), lime softening. Find the right filter →
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50112 | 0.0031 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 FilterFree 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.
- 50112 — Grinnell
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Grinnell Water Department (IA7930008) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Grinnell Water Department water safe to drink?
Grinnell Water Department has recorded 6 health-based violations 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 Grinnell Water Department serve?
Grinnell Water Department serves approximately 9,564 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.
Where does Grinnell 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.
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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
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.
- #43 / 100 Most Unresolved Health Violations (U.S.)
- #70 / 100 Highest Exposure Burden (U.S.)
- #1 / 24 Highest Exposure Burden (Iowa)
Frequently Asked Questions
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
Grinnell Water Department (EPA ID: IA7930008) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.