Butterfield, MN: High Radon Risk — 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Across water systems in Butterfield, safety results are uneven — a portion carry active or recent violations, while others meet federal standards without incident, placing the city in the middle tier for MN.
How Butterfield Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Butterfield Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 91% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.39 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Butterfield
Butterfield, MN is covered by 2 major water utilities out of 2 federally tracked systems, each managing its own pipes, treatment processes, and EPA filings. What a household gets from the tap depends on which provider's system serves that address.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Butterfield, Minnesota (population ~925), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 6,426 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Butterfield — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Butterfield: C (66/100)
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
Butterfield water systems draw from: Groundwater.
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56120 | C | Red Rock Rural Water System | 5,840 |
All ZIP Codes in Butterfield
- 56120 [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 Butterfield
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 Butterfield's Housing Stock?
With 91% 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
Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Butterfield's median build year of 1951 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.
Over half of homes in Butterfield 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.
Butterfield: Remediation Cost in Perspective
The equity-to-remediation ratio in Butterfield is moderate — worth planning for but within reach for most property owners.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Butterfield. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 51% below the Minnesota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Butterfield
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 Butterfield, where 91% 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.
What You Can Do in Butterfield
- 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 91% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Butterfield, MN