Saint Joe, IN: High Radon Risk — 60/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Saint Joe, EPA compliance data for IN sits at a moderate level — not alarming, but not uniformly clean across all service areas either.
How Saint Joe Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Joe Water
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.65 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Joe
Across most of Saint Joe, IN, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Joe, Indiana (population ~1,630), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,700 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Joe — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Joe: C (60/100)
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
Saint Joe water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Joe
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 46785 | C | BUTLER WATER DEPARTMENT | 2,700 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Joe
- 46785 [C]
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.
Health Outcomes in Saint Joe
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Saint Joe
With 65% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Saint Joe, the median build year of 1975 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Saint Joe 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Saint Joe Homeowners
Placing remediation in the context of Saint Joe's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Saint Joe are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 2% above the Indiana average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Joe
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.
65% of Saint Joe housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Saint Joe
Only a limited number of flood insurance claims have been filed for Saint Joe under the NFIP, reflecting a flood history that stays well below the point where water-quality infrastructure stress becomes a routine planning concern.
Saint Joe has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$1,200</strong> remediation cost per household.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Saint Joe
- 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 65% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Saint Joe, IN