Inver Grove Heights, MN: 44 Violations - Home Safety 64/100
2 ZIP codes · 5 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Inver Grove Heights: C.
A mixed picture - some signals here are worth your attention.
Your top priority: consider a certified water filter (36 health violations on record). NSF certified filters →
Inver Grove Heights shows moderate tap water quality for MN - some areas carry documented EPA violations while others meet standards without issues.
How Inver Grove Heights Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Inver Grove Heights Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 44 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.008 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 44% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,550 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.2.
Inver Grove Heights's Water Providers
3 water utilities share the residential service territory in Inver Grove Heights, MN - out of 5 total systems in federal records.
- C
- C
- C
Overview
We track home safety data for 2 ZIP codes in Inver Grove Heights, Minnesota (population ~35,843), covering 5 community water systems serving approximately 516,790 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 2 of 2 ZIP codes.
2 of 2 ZIP codes with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 36 health-based violations appear in the available health breakdown.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Inver Grove Heights: C (64/100)
Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| PFAS MCL Screen | UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
| Annual AQI | EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days |
Water Sources
Inver Grove Heights water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0080 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 2 ZIP codes with known status exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 2 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 0 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 73 | 2 |
| Gross Alpha | Radionuclides | 15 | 2 |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 8 | 2 |
| E. coli | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55076 | — | 36 | 35 | Inver Grove Heights |
| 55077 | C | 26 | 19 | Inver Grove Heights |
All ZIP Codes in Inver Grove Heights
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
Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.
Inver Grove Heights Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Inver Grove Heights's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Inver Grove Heights Infrastructure Age
With 44% 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
Inver Grove Heights's residential inventory spans multiple construction eras, with the median build year of 1990 landing in a zone where pre- and post-1986 homes are both well represented. That split matters because homes built before 1986 may contain lead-soldered copper joints - a plumbing practice banned that year - while those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line. Whether a specific household sits on the older or newer end of this distribution is the primary variable shaping its individual exposure risk.
Most homes in Inver Grove Heights 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Inver Grove Heights
Property equity in Inver Grove Heights runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs - a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Inver Grove Heights are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,250–$5,550 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 107% above the Minnesota average.
Inver Grove Heights: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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.
Wherever 44% of local housing was built before solder rules changed - as is the case in Inver Grove Heights - a faucet-level sample closes the gap that aggregate utility data cannot.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Inver Grove Heights: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Inver Grove Heights contains 9 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $6,627. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 50% have an A- or V-family dominant rated zone recorded in those historical claims. This is not a complete current FEMA property-map inventory.
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. The <strong>$3,550</strong> remediation estimate shown here excludes flood insurance and is not derived from NFIP claim count.
Claim count does not establish current property risk. Check the exact address in FEMA's current map and obtain a property-specific insurance quote when relevant.
Source: historical FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claim records. No current FEMA property-map designation is asserted.
What You Can Do in Inver Grove Heights
- 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. Filters rated for Gross Beta can reduce the most common contaminant found in Inver Grove Heights's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 44% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Inver Grove Heights, MN