Breckenridge, MN: High Radon Risk — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Breckenridge, MN: middle-tier water safety by the latest federal monitoring.
How Breckenridge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Breckenridge Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 72% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.89 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Breckenridge
In Breckenridge, MN, the drinking water supply is organized under a single dominant utility — a consolidated structure that shapes how infrastructure investment, regulatory compliance, and rate decisions flow to households. When one provider handles the overwhelming share of residential connections out of 1 tracked system, accountability is clear: service upgrades, EPA violation responses, and tariff changes all funnel through that single organizational structure.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Breckenridge, Minnesota, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,886 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Breckenridge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Breckenridge: C (55/100)
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
Breckenridge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56520 | C | Breckenridge | 3,340 |
All ZIP Codes in Breckenridge
- 56520 [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.
CDC Health Data for Breckenridge
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 Breckenridge's Housing Stock?
With 72% 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
Breckenridge's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1979 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Breckenridge 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.
Breckenridge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
For most Breckenridge homeowners, estimated remediation represents a moderate equity share — manageable with planning.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Breckenridge. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 36% below the Minnesota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Breckenridge
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.
If 72% of the Breckenridge inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Breckenridge
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Breckenridge through the NFIP — 472 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.
Breckenridge has a moderate flood history with 472 FEMA claims averaging $15,413 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 Breckenridge
- 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 72% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Breckenridge, MN