Monitoring Violations IA

Kalona Water Department

EPA ID: IA9233012 · 2,630 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Right now, Kalona Water Department shows 1 EPA violation marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 2,630 residents while each finding awaits closure.

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

C · 68
Avg Safety Score
2,630
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$273K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$82,695
Median Household Income
9,023
Service Area Population
40%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Kalona Water Department serves a community with a median household income of $82,695 and an estimated 9,023 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

Environmental Justice Note: 40% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Kalona 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.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Washington 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

55 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
13 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 81% 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

C 1 violation
Eldora Water Supply
2,664 people
C 6 violations
Sirwa - Corning
2,585 people
0 violations
C 10 violations
C 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 $600
PFAS Treatment $250
Total Estimated Cost $2,050

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.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,050 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

Kalona Water Department (EPA ID: IA9233012) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 2,630 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (68/100)

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
February 1, 2025 Unknown Monitoring Unresolved

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
52247 0.001 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 Kalona Water Department (IA9233012) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kalona Water Department water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Kalona Water Department serve?

Kalona Water Department serves approximately 2,630 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Kalona Water Department 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
16
Unknown Material
1,179
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,630
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 Kalona Water Department safe to drink?
Kalona Water Department has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 recorded violation, 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 Kalona Water Department serve?
Kalona Water Department serves approximately 2,630 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Kalona Water Department's water source?
Kalona Water Department draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Kalona Water Department's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.001 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Kalona Water Department's service area?
The Kalona Water Department service area has a median household income of $82,695. EPA EJScreen data classifies 40% of the population as disadvantaged, which may indicate greater vulnerability to environmental health risks.
Where does Kalona Water Department get its water?
Kalona 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. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

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

Kalona Water Department (EPA ID: IA9233012) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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