CITY REPORT MN

Embarrass, MN Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Within Embarrass, water quality data indicates below-average safety by MN standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.

How Embarrass Compares

Embarrass53/100
Minnesota avg62/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
D · 53
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
Radon Risk (Moderate)
$174K
Median Home Value
$400
Est. Remediation (0.2% of home value)

What You Should Know About Embarrass Water

  • Homes built before 1986: 77% — 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 Embarrass

With 2 utilities splitting service in Embarrass, MN, water accountability is distributed across 2 systems on the federal record.

White Township
Serves ~1,559 people
53
/100
Breitung
Serves ~446 people
53
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Embarrass, Minnesota, covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 1,398 people.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Embarrass — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Embarrass: 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

Embarrass water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Embarrass
  • 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
55732 D White Township 1,559

All ZIP Codes in Embarrass

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Embarrass

10.5%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
16.5%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.5% ↑
Diabetes 11.2% ↑
Mental Health 16.5% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Housing & Infrastructure in Embarrass

1960
Median Build Year
77%
Built Before 1986
38%
Built Before 1970
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 77% 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

Plumbing risk in older housing is defined by two eras: the pre-1970 period when lead pipes were commonly used for service lines, and the 1970-to-1986 period when lead solder remained standard in copper plumbing until the federal ban. Embarrass's median build year of 1960 lands in a range where both eras are heavily represented in the housing stock. That creates an elevated aggregate environment for plumbing-related lead exposure — one that city-level water quality averages don't capture, because the risk sits inside individual properties rather than in the distribution system.

1960
Median Year Built
77%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
38%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (38%) 1970–1986 (39%) Post-1986 (23%)

Over half of homes in Embarrass 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 Embarrass Homeowners

For most homeowners in Embarrass, the estimated cost of water and safety remediation represents a proportionally modest share of what properties are worth — placing this area in the lower tier of the remediation share scale.

Median Home Value
$173,600
Est. Remediation
$400
Remediation as % of home value 0.2%

Remediation costs in Embarrass are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 28% below the Minnesota average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Embarrass

77%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Embarrass have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 77% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

What You Can Do in Embarrass

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 77% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Embarrass, MN?
Embarrass has an average water safety score of 53/100 (Grade D). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Embarrass compare to Minnesota average?
Embarrass has an average water safety score of 53/100, which is below the Minnesota state average of 62/100.
How many water systems serve Embarrass?
Embarrass is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 1,398 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Embarrass?
Estimated remediation costs in Embarrass average $400 per household, ranging from $0 to $800. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
HomeCitiesMinnesota → Embarrass, MN

Get safety alerts for Embarrass, Minnesota

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Check your water filter options Free tool — no phone call required.