Spencer, IA · PWSID IA2100701
Iowa Lakes Regional Water lead service lines
491 lines still unidentified
Iowa Lakes Regional Water reported no confirmed lead service lines, but 491 of 2,284 lines (21%) are still listed as "lead status unknown." Until a line is identified, treat it as possibly lead.
0% of Iowa Lakes Regional Water's service lines are lead or galvanized requiring replacement. That's lower than the Iowa average (5.6%) and lower than the national average (3.1%).
- Lead 0%
- Galvanized (replace) 0%
- Unknown 21%
- Non-lead 79%
Total service lines reported: 2,284. Reported all required service line types. Population served: 6,755; 2,541 connections.
Lead test results
Iowa Lakes Regional Water's most recent 90th-percentile lead result (Jan 2024–Dec 2026) was not detected, below both the 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level that takes effect in 2027. This means 90% of homes sampled were at or below that level; individual homes, especially those with lead lines, can be higher.
Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile results reported to EPA, in parts per billion. Dashed lines: 15 ppb action level and the 10 ppb level from November 1, 2027.
Progress since 2025 Q1
Reported lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines went from 0 in 2025 Q1 to 0 in 2026 Q3: no change. Lines of unknown material went from 504 to 491, down 13 (2.6%).
Quarterly counts reported to EPA. A drop usually means lines were replaced or confirmed non-lead; a rise usually means more lines were identified. Replacement progress rankings.
Lead rule violations
EPA's data lists no Lead and Copper Rule violations for Iowa Lakes Regional Water since 2015. That covers testing, reporting, corrosion control and public notice requirements; it isn't a guarantee about any individual home.
Source: EPA SDWIS violation records for the Lead and Copper Rule.
Where the water comes from
Iowa Lakes Regional Water's main water source is groundwater (wells). It sells water to 5 other water systems: Rembrandt Water Supply, Iowa Lakes Regional Water - Osgood, Linn Grove Water Works, Dickens Water Works, Fostoria Municipal Water Supply.
Source: EPA SDWIS water system and facility records.
Check your own address
These counts cover the whole system. To see whether your line is lead, use the utility's address-level inventory. Utilities had to prepare one by October 16, 2024 and make it publicly accessible; systems serving more than 50,000 people must post it online.
No map yet? Do the 2-minute scratch and magnet test on the pipe where water enters your home.
Protect your drinking water now
If your line is lead, galvanized or unknown, filter water for drinking, cooking and baby formula. Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI 53 for lead. Run cold water for a few minutes after it sits for hours, and never use hot tap water for cooking.
How to pick a lead-certified filter · How to test your water for lead
Getting the line replaced
EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements require most systems to replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037. Ask Iowa Lakes Regional Water whether it replaces the private side for free or with a cost share before you hire anyone. If you want it done sooner, or your utility doesn't cover your side, a licensed plumber can quote it. What replacement costs.
County pages: Lead pipes in Clay County · Lead pipes in Buena Vista County
Other water systems nearby
| System | Lead + galv. | Unknown |
|---|---|---|
| Storm Lake Water Treatment Plant | 142 | 256 |
| Spencer Municipal Water Utility | 253 | 5 |
| Alta Municipal Water Plant | 90 | 63 |
| Sioux Rapids Water Department | 128 | 104 |
| Albert City Muni Water Supply | 5 | 67 |
| Everly Water Supply | 11 | 29 |
| Marathon Light & Water Department | 115 | 10 |
| Rembrandt Water Supply | 0 | 2 |
Check another water system
Questions
Does Iowa Lakes Regional Water have lead pipes?
It hasn't confirmed any, but 491 of its 2,284 service lines are still of unknown material, so lead has not been ruled out.
How do I check if my home's service line is lead?
Look up your address on Iowa Lakes Regional Water's official service line inventory, which utilities must make publicly available. You can also scratch the pipe where it enters your home: lead is soft, dull gray, scratches to shiny silver and does not attract a magnet.
When will Iowa Lakes Regional Water replace lead service lines?
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements, most systems must replace lead and galvanized-requiring-replacement lines by December 31, 2037, starting from November 1, 2027. The rule is being challenged in court, so dates could change. Many utilities run free or cost-share programs now.
Has Iowa Lakes Regional Water had lead violations?
EPA's data shows no Lead and Copper Rule violations since 2015 for Iowa Lakes Regional Water.
Which water filters remove lead?
Use a filter certified to NSF/ANSI Standard 53 for lead reduction, or NSF/ANSI 58 for reverse osmosis. Check the certification on NSF's listings, not just the box.
Embed or cite this data
Local news sites, blogs and community groups can embed this card. It updates when EPA releases new data.
Citation: Lead Pipe Map, "Iowa Lakes Regional Water lead service lines," https://leadpipemap.com/ia/iowa-lakes-regional-water/. Source: EPA SDWIS service line inventory, 2026 Q3. Download the full dataset on the data page.