US Water Score: A
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA MCL | Health Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead |
1.2
|
15 ppb | 1 ppb | Warning |
UCMR5 occurrence results are screening information, not a finding of regulatory compliance or noncompliance. PFAS rules and compliance dates are evolving.
| Compound | Level | EPA MCL | Health Guideline | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA | 5.0 ppt | No standard | 500 ppt | No federal MCL shown |
Water Quality Summary
Tap water quality in What Cheer, Iowa (50268) receives an overall grade of A (Lower record-based concern) with a score of 95 out of 100, based on analysis of EPA compliance data, contaminant testing, and violation history. This is roughly in line with the Iowa state average of 95. Compared to the national average (75), this area performs significantly better. The area is served by Wapello Rural Water Assoc., a surface water system providing water to approximately 17,263 people. Testing has found elevated levels of Lead that warrant attention. PFAS testing detected 1 compound, all below the EPA final MCL values used for comparison. The area has a clean violation record over the past 5 years — a positive indicator of consistent water quality management.
A score of 95/100 means public water-system records for What Cheer, IA show relatively few concerns in the US Water Score model. This is an internal score, not an EPA safety rating, and it does not guarantee conditions at any specific tap.
Health Information
Lead is a toxic metal that can leach from aging pipes and plumbing fixtures.
Even low levels of lead exposure can cause developmental delays in children, kidney damage, and cardiovascular effects in adults. The EPA action level is 15 ppb, but health experts recommend no safe level of lead in drinking water.
Lead enters water primarily through corrosion of lead service lines, lead solder, and brass fixtures — especially in homes built before 1986.
If lead is detected above 1 ppb, consider using a certified lead-removal filter (NSF/ANSI 53) for drinking and cooking water. Run cold water for 30 seconds before use if water has been sitting in pipes.
Common Questions
Based on public water-system records, What Cheer, Iowa receives an internal US Water Score grade of A (Lower record-based concern) with a score of 95/100. This indicates relatively few system-level concerns in our model, but it is not an EPA safety rating and does not guarantee tap conditions inside individual homes.
ZIP code 50268 is served by 1 water system using surface water sources, providing water to approximately 17,263 people. Surface water systems are more susceptible to contamination from agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and weather events, but typically undergo more extensive treatment including filtration and disinfection.
Lead was reported at 1.2 ppb in public-system records for What Cheer, Iowa. This is below the currently applicable EPA action level of 15 ppb, but may be above more protective health guidance; EPA's future LCRI action level is 10 ppb. Household plumbing can materially change tap-level exposure, so consider certified filtration and individual tap testing, especially where children are present.
1 PFAS compound were detected in water serving What Cheer, Iowa, with reported values below the EPA final MCL values used by this site. This comparison is informational: federal compliance timelines and the status of some PFAS standards are still evolving. Activated carbon or reverse osmosis filters can reduce some PFAS when appropriately certified and maintained.
Water systems serving What Cheer, Iowa have zero violations in the last 5 years. This is a positive indicator of consistent regulatory compliance and water quality management.
Based on detected contaminants (lead, PFAS), residents in What Cheer, Iowa should consider: Reverse osmosis (RO) system — most effective for PFAS, lead, and other contaminants. Always look for filters with NSF/ANSI certification for the specific contaminants you want to remove.
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