Water System Report IA

Kalona Water Department

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

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Kalona Water Department (IA9233012): no EPA violations recorded in the last five years. Zero violations in five consecutive years of EPA monitoring - Kalona Water Department has held a clean track record across every reporting cycle in that span, with no enforcement activity of any kind on file for the full service population of 2,630 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS

2,630
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk ยท 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

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.

๐Ÿ’ง 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.

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

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 โ†’

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

0 violations
Eldora Water Supply
2,664 people
0 violations
2 violations
C 0 violations
Hudson Water Supply
2,546 people
1 violation

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:

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 $2,050 (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

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.

Violation History

No accepted violation records in the 2021-2026 window - The accepted EPA ECHO 2026Q2 snapshot contains zero violation records for this system whose record year falls from 2021 through 2026, inclusive. This is not a tap-water safety guarantee.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0.001 mg/L No N/A

The accepted LCR snapshot contains 1 reported copper action-level exceedance record for this PWSID. The source does not provide a verified copper level for publication.

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 $20โ€“$50 (DIY kit) ยท Professional inspection: $150โ€“$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking โ€” 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?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Kalona Water Department in the inclusive 2021-2026 record-year window. This is a compliance-record finding, not a guarantee about water at a specific tap.

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
Kalona 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 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 available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Kalona Water Department Water Quality Report, IA. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ia9233012/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-ia9233012,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Kalona Water Department Water Quality Report, IA}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/ia9233012/}
}
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