Brownsville, IN: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
If you're researching Brownsville, IN tap water quality, the baseline finding is below average — health-based violations are documented in several service areas, and verifying the specific system at your address is the right next step.
How Brownsville Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Brownsville Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 68% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.34 — above typical levels.
Brownsville's Water Providers
One utility dominates residential water service in Brownsville, IN — out of 1 system in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Brownsville, Indiana (population ~578), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,133 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Brownsville — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Brownsville: D (40/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Brownsville water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Brownsville
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 47325 | D | LIBERTY WATER WORKS | 2,133 |
All ZIP Codes in Brownsville
- 47325 [D]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Brownsville Community Health Snapshot
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Brownsville Infrastructure Age
With 68% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
While newer cities carry lower aggregate plumbing risk from lead-era construction, Brownsville sits firmly in the older category. The median build year of 1973 indicates that more than half the housing stock was built before 1986, when lead solder was still legally used in residential copper plumbing — and a substantial portion likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still commonly installed for service lines. These two thresholds together define the elevated plumbing risk environment that older housing cities carry, independent of what the municipal water supply delivers to the meter.
Over half of homes in Brownsville were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Brownsville
Property equity in Brownsville runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Brownsville are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% above the Indiana average.
Brownsville: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Locally, 68% of Brownsville homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Brownsville
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 68% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Brownsville, IN