Monitoring Violations IA

Northwood Waterworks

EPA ID: IA9855077 · 2,072 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Over the past five years, Northwood Waterworks recorded 2 violations, all subsequently resolved through the EPA enforcement process — the supplier currently operates in good standing, with no active actions on file for its 2,072 residents.

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

B · 70
Avg Safety Score
2,072
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.0022 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$172K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Northwood Waterworks Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade B

Service Area Demographics

$81,296
Median Household Income
5,604
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
76%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Northwood Waterworks serves a community with a median household income of $81,296 and an estimated 5,604 residents across its service area. Approximately 76% 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

Northwood Waterworks'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
25th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
35th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 3% of homes in Worth 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

72 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
2 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 97% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Northwood Waterworks compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Contaminant 1052 at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Iowa

Britt Water Works
2,064 people
C 3 violations
C 0 violations
0 violations
C 3 violations
Audubon Water Supply
2,053 people
D 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $1,500
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $2,700

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.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

Northwood Waterworks (EPA ID: IA9855077) is a community water system in Iowa that serves approximately 2,072 people from groundwater sources.

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

Average Home Safety Score: B (70/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

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

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Contaminant 1052 Other Violation 1 No
Consumer Confidence Report Rule Reporting 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
50459 0.0022 mg/L No N/A
50472 0.00158 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 Northwood Waterworks (IA9855077) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Northwood Waterworks water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Northwood Waterworks serve?

Northwood Waterworks serves approximately 2,072 people across 2 ZIP codes in Iowa.

Where does Northwood Waterworks 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:

7
Confirmed Lead
5
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
935
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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,072
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 Northwood Waterworks safe to drink?
Northwood Waterworks earns a B safety grade with 2 violations in the past 5 years. Tap water meets EPA standards for most contaminants.
What contaminants are in Northwood Waterworks's water?
Detected contaminants include Contaminant 1052, Consumer Confidence Report Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 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 Northwood Waterworks serve?
Northwood Waterworks serves approximately 2,072 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Northwood Waterworks's water source?
Northwood Waterworks draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Northwood Waterworks's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.0022 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Northwood Waterworks's service area?
The Northwood Waterworks service area has a median household income of $81,296. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Northwood Waterworks get its water?
Northwood Waterworks'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.

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

Northwood Waterworks (EPA ID: IA9855077) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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