Water System Report IA

Cambridge Water Supply

EPA ID: IA8509069 · 832 people served · 1 ZIP code

Even as other utilities in the region logged violations, Cambridge Water Supply kept a clean EPA record — five years, no issues, 832 people served.

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

832
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged
$225K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Cambridge Water Supply Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$91,944
Median Household Income
1,696
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
20th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
65%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Cambridge Water Supply serves a community with a median household income of $91,944 and an estimated 1,696 residents across its service area. Approximately 65% 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

Cambridge Water Supply'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
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Story 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

48 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
22 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 69% 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

D 0 violations
D 0 violations
0 violations
C 3 violations
0 violations

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 $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $2,900

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 $2,900 (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

Cambridge Water Supply (EPA ID: IA8509069) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 832 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 50046 in Cambridge.

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 Cambridge Water Supply (IA8509069) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cambridge Water Supply water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Cambridge Water Supply serve?

Cambridge Water Supply serves approximately 832 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Cambridge Water Supply 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
58
Detections
2
Latest sample
12/3/2024
Highest analyte
PFBS: 3.5 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBS 3.5 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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
337
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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 832
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?
Cambridge Water Supply meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Cambridge Water Supply serve?
Cambridge Water Supply serves approximately 832 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Cambridge Water Supply's water source?
Cambridge Water Supply draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Cambridge Water Supply's service area?
The Cambridge Water Supply service area has a median household income of $91,944. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Cambridge Water Supply get its water?
Cambridge Water Supply'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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