Iowa · 5 community water systems
Lead pipes in Palo Alto County, IA
5 community water systems serving Palo Alto County reported 34 lead and 58 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 200 of unknown material. The most are in Ruthven Water Supply.
1.6% of these systems' lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement, lower than the Iowa average (5.6%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0.6%
- Galvanized (replace) 1.0%
- Unknown 3.5%
- Non-lead 95%
Water systems serving Palo Alto County
| Water system | Lead | Galv. | Unknown | % lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ruthven Water SupplyRuthven | 9 | 49 | 61 | 14% |
| Emmetsburg Municipal Water DepartmentEmmetsburg | 24 | 0 | 8 | 1.3% |
| Graettinger Municipal Water SupplyGraettinger | 0 | 9 | 127 | 1.9% |
| Mallard Water SupplyMallard | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.6% |
| Iowa Lakes Regional Water - OsgoodGraettinger | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0% |
Systems that also serve other counties are counted in full. Your water bill names your utility.
What to do if your line is lead or unknown
- Check the pipe where water enters your home.
- Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead for drinking and cooking.
- Test your water, often free through the utility.
- Ask your utility about free or discounted replacement; most lines must be replaced by December 31, 2037.
Check another water system
Questions
Does Palo Alto County have lead pipes?
Yes. Water systems serving Palo Alto County reported 34 lead and 58 galvanized-requiring-replacement service lines, plus 200 of unknown material.
Which Palo Alto County water systems have the most lead lines?
Ruthven Water Supply (58), Emmetsburg Municipal Water Department (24), Graettinger Municipal Water Supply (9).
How do I check my home in Palo Alto County?
Find the water system named on your water bill in the table above, open its page and use its address-level inventory. You can also scratch-test the pipe where it enters your home.