Brownville Junction, ME: High Radon Risk — 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent EPA cycles, Brownville Junction shows a persistent below-average water quality pattern within ME — documented violations span multiple service areas and have appeared consistently across reporting periods.
How Brownville Junction Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Brownville Junction Residents
- Homes built before 1986: 96% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.58 — above typical levels.
Brownville Junction's Water Providers
Brownville Junction, ME draws its water from one primary utility across 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Brownville Junction, Maine (population ~316), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 663 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Brownville Junction — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Brownville Junction: D (53/100)
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
Brownville Junction water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Brownville Junction
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 04415 | D | BROWNVILLE JCT WATER DEPT | 663 |
All ZIP Codes in Brownville Junction
- 04415 [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.
Brownville Junction 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
Brownville Junction Infrastructure Age
With 96% 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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Brownville Junction is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1904 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Brownville Junction 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 Brownville Junction
The cost-to-equity ratio for remediation in Brownville Junction is elevated — the financial planning challenge here is real and significant.
At 2.9% of home value, remediation costs in Brownville Junction represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 68% below the Maine average.
Brownville Junction: 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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 96% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Brownville Junction.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Brownville Junction: Flood History & Water Damage Risk
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Brownville Junction through the NFIP — 2 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Brownville Junction has a moderate flood history with 2 FEMA claims averaging $7,633 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
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>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Brownville Junction
- 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 96% 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 Brownville Junction, ME