Grand Portage, MN Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Systems across Grand Portage show elevated violation counts against MN benchmarks — the low safety grade reflects that ongoing compliance pattern.
How Grand Portage Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Grand Portage Water
- Homes built before 1986: 39% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.65 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Grand Portage
The structure of water supply in Grand Portage, MN is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Grand Portage, Minnesota (population ~612), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 1,344 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Grand Portage — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Grand Portage: 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
Grand Portage water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Grand Portage
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55605 | D | Grand Marais | 1,344 |
All ZIP Codes in Grand Portage
- 55605 [D]
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 Grand Portage
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 Grand Portage
Housing age data helps assess potential lead pipe and infrastructure risks. Newer housing stock generally means lower plumbing-related contamination risk.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Pre-1986 construction carries elevated plumbing-era lead risk because lead solder was widely used before that federal ban. In Grand Portage, the median build year of 1997 indicates a housing stock where that older fraction represents a significant share of the residential inventory.
Most homes in Grand Portage were built after 1986, reducing the risk of lead contamination from plumbing. Older homes should still be tested.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Grand Portage Homeowners
Because property values in Grand Portage comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Grand Portage are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 42% below the Minnesota average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Grand Portage
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 39% pre-rule share in Grand Portage keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Grand Portage
- 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 39% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Grand Portage, MN