Iowa · population 11,418
Lead pipes in Spencer, IA
253 lead or galvanized lines to replace
Most of Spencer (population 11,418) gets its water from Spencer Municipal Water Utility. That system reported 92 lead and 161 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines out of 4,951, with 5 more of unknown material.
5.1% of Spencer Municipal Water Utility's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, about the same as the Iowa average (5.6%) and higher than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 1.9%
- Galvanized (replace) 3.3%
- Unknown 0.1%
- Non-lead 95%
Latest lead test for Spencer Municipal Water Utility (Jan 2024–Dec 2026): not detected at the 90th percentile, against a 15 ppb federal action level. Full test history.
Compliance record: EPA lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Spencer Municipal Water Utility.
Water systems serving Spencer
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spencer Municipal Water UtilityMain system | 92 | 161 | 5 | 5.1% |
| Iowa Lakes Regional WaterAlso serves parts of the city | 0 | 0 | 491 | 0% |
Matched from EPA water system service area boundaries and the cities each system reports serving. Edges of the city may be served by a neighboring system; your water bill names your utility.
Check your address in Spencer
The counts above cover the whole water system. To see whether your line is lead, look up your address on Spencer Municipal Water Utility's official inventory. Utilities had to make these public by October 16, 2024.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test.
Protect your drinking water
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking, cooking and baby formula, and use only cold water.
Choosing a lead-certified filter · Testing your water · Replacement cost
Nearby cities
- Milford2 unknown
- Arnolds Park3 lead + galv. lines
- Spirit Lake4 lead + galv. lines
- Estherville30 lead + galv. lines
- Sanborn3 lead + galv. lines
- Laurens74 lead + galv. lines
- Cherokeeno lead reported
- Sibley94 lead + galv. lines
Check another water system
Questions
Does Spencer, IA have lead pipes?
Yes. Spencer Municipal Water Utility, which serves Spencer, reported 92 lead and 161 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 5 of unknown material.
Who supplies water to Spencer?
EPA's service area maps place most of Spencer in Spencer Municipal Water Utility's service area (PWSID IA2171071). Iowa Lakes Regional Water also serves parts of the city or nearby areas.
How do I check whether my Spencer home has a lead service line?
Search your address on Spencer Municipal Water Utility's service line inventory map. You can also scratch the pipe where water enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and doesn't attract a magnet.
When will lead pipes in Spencer be replaced?
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Spencer Municipal Water Utility whether your street is scheduled and whether it covers the private side.