Monitoring Violations IA

Chelsea Water Supply

EPA ID: IA8609019 · 229 people served · 1 ZIP code

Chelsea Water Supply's current EPA file includes 2 unresolved violations — every outstanding finding is documented in federal records for this utility, which supplies water to approximately 229 residents across its service territory.

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

D · 54
Avg Safety Score
229
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
6
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0026 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
4
Contaminants Flagged
$117K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$56,311
Median Household Income
819
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
60th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
79%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Chelsea Water Supply serves a community with a median household income of $56,311 and an estimated 819 residents across its service area. Approximately 79% 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

Chelsea 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
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 0% of homes in Tama 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

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

Detected Contaminants

How Chelsea Water Supply compares to EPA limits

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 1 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.06 mg/L
Cancer risk; reproductive & developmental effects

What This Means For You

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.

Lead and Copper Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) 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

C 0 violations
Ladora Water Supply
229 people
D 14 violations
Hillock Estates
228 people
0 violations
D 0 violations
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$5,000
10 years
$10,000
20 years
$20,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,400 (one-time) vs. $10,000 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

Chelsea Water Supply (EPA ID: IA8609019) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 229 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 52215 in Chelsea.

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

6 monitoring/reporting violations recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
June 1, 2025 Stage 1 DBP Rule Monitoring Unresolved
September 14, 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Monitoring Resolved
May 1, 2024 Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Monitoring Resolved
April 1, 2024 Consumer Confidence Report Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead and Copper Rule Treatment Failure 2 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting Failure 2 No
Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) Disinfection Byproducts 1 No
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
52215 0.0026 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 Chelsea Water Supply (IA8609019) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chelsea Water Supply water safe to drink?

Chelsea Water Supply has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Chelsea Water Supply serve?

Chelsea Water Supply serves approximately 229 people across 1 ZIP code in Iowa.

Where does Chelsea Water Supply 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:

4
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
78
Unknown Material
20
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 2020-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 229
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 Chelsea Water Supply safe to drink?
Chelsea Water Supply has a D safety grade based on 6 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Chelsea Water Supply's water?
Detected contaminants include Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), Lead and Copper Rule, Consumer Confidence Report Rule, 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 4 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 Chelsea Water Supply serve?
Chelsea Water Supply serves approximately 229 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Chelsea Water Supply's water source?
Chelsea Water Supply draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Chelsea Water Supply's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0026 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Chelsea Water Supply's service area?
The Chelsea Water Supply service area has a median household income of $56,311. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Chelsea Water Supply get its water?
Chelsea 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.

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

Chelsea Water Supply (EPA ID: IA8609019) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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