Polk County, IA

ZIP 50309

In ZIP 50309, 9 of the 12 things we check have at least one part graded D or F.

• Drinking water: West Des Moines Water Works has 2 contaminants at or over an EPA legal limit; 15 contaminants are above health goals, led by lead at 47× California’s Public Health Goal.
• Nearest Superfund site: Des Moines TCE, 2.4 miles away (3 within 10 miles).
• Largest share of modeled toxic air from industry: Quality Manufacturing Corp - Urbandale (57%), mostly chromium.
• Fine particles (PM2.5) average 8.1 µg/m³; the WHO guideline is 5 and the EPA annual standard is 9.
• About 174,059 kg of agricultural pesticides are applied in the county each year.

Grades for ZIP 50309

• Superfund sites nearbyF
• Factories and industrial sitesD
• Oil and gas wellsA
• Parks and nature nearbyC to F
• Air qualityC to D
• Drinking water qualityF
• Pesticide useD to F
• Neighborhood health statusA to C
• Past wildfire impactsA
• Past flood impactsD to F
• Noise levelsD
• Radiation signalsD to F

Based on 6 census tracts · compiled September 10, 2026 · how each grade works and its sources

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