Biwabik, MN Water Safety: 83/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water utilities in Biwabik have maintained a consistent compliance record over recent monitoring periods — the city's above-average grade in MN reflects low violation rates and no systemic health concerns flagged in current data.
How Biwabik Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Biwabik Water
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 90% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.88 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Biwabik
Across most of Biwabik, MN, 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 Biwabik, Minnesota, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 850 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Biwabik — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Biwabik: B (83/100)
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
Biwabik water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55708 | B | Biwabik | 975 |
All ZIP Codes in Biwabik
- 55708 [B]
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 Biwabik
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 Biwabik
With 90% 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 Biwabik, the median build year of 1959 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 Biwabik 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 Biwabik Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Biwabik picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Biwabik are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 55% below the Minnesota average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Biwabik
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 90% of the Biwabik inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Biwabik, MN