Alpha, MN: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Alpha Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 94% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,500 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.28 - above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Alpha
A single dominant system supplies most of Alpha, MN. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Alpha, Minnesota (population ~355), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 5,840 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Alpha water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56111 | — | Red Rock Rural Water System | 5,840 |
All ZIP Codes in Alpha
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
CDC Health Data for Alpha
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
How Old Is Alpha's Housing Stock?
With 94% 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
Because the majority of Alpha's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1946 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Alpha 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.
Alpha: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity impact of remediation in Alpha sits at a moderate level - real enough to plan for, within reach for most.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Alpha. The estimated $950–$2,100 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 53% below the Minnesota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Alpha
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.
Routinely in Alpha, where 94% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Alpha, MN