Lake Elmo, MN: 16 Violations - Home Safety 49/100
1 ZIP code · 4 water systems · Updated
ZipCheckup grade for Lake Elmo: D.
Several federal signals point to home-safety risks in this ZIP.
Your top priority: see the breakdown below and consider a certified water filter. NSF certified filters →
Monitoring data across Lake Elmo reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in MN - multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.
How Lake Elmo Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS
Lake Elmo Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 16 violations in the past 5 years.
- Homes built before 1986: 35% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.06.
Water Systems Serving Lake Elmo
3 independent water providers serve Lake Elmo, MN - 4 systems appear in federal records.
- D
- D
- D
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Lake Elmo, Minnesota (population ~13,156), covering 4 community water systems serving approximately 20,854 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Lake Elmo: D (49/100)
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
Lake Elmo water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0000 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contaminant 2005 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2010 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2015 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2035 | Other | 2 | 1 |
| Contaminant 2037 | Other | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55042 | D | 16 | 0 | Lake Elmo |
All ZIP Codes in Lake Elmo
- 55042 [D] - 16 violations
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.
CDC Health Data for Lake Elmo
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Lake Elmo
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Lake Elmo's Housing Stock?
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
With a median build year of 1992, Lake Elmo's housing stock reflects a city built across multiple eras. A substantial share of homes predate 1986 - the year lead solder in plumbing was federally banned - meaning the risk from plumbing materials is unevenly distributed across the city's neighborhoods and property types.
Most homes in Lake Elmo 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.
Lake Elmo: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Equity impact data for Lake Elmo lands in the favorable tier - remediation claims a small slice of what properties here are worth.
Remediation costs in Lake Elmo are relatively low compared to home values. The $2,000–$4,100 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 148% above the Minnesota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Lake Elmo
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 Lake Elmo, where 35% 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.
Historical Flood-Claim Evidence for Lake Elmo
Historical NFIP data for Lake Elmo contains 34 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $11,121. Among ZIP codes with claim records, 100% 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>$3,000</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 Lake Elmo
- 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 Contaminant 2005 can reduce the most common contaminant found in Lake Elmo's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 35% 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 Lake Elmo, MN