CITY REPORT MN

Maple Lake, MN: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Water systems serving Maple Lake hold a strong EPA compliance record — the city places among the better-performing areas in MN with few health-based violations on file.

How Maple Lake Compares

Maple Lake70/100
Minnesota avg62/100
National avg67/100

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

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
B · 70
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$299K
Median Home Value
$2,400
Est. Remediation (0.8% of home value)

Key Facts for Maple Lake Residents

  • Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 11.55.

Maple Lake's Water Providers

Throughout Maple Lake, MN, water comes from one of 3 primary utilities out of 3 total systems — independent providers with different rate structures, infrastructure, and compliance records that vary across the service territory.

Buffalo
Serves ~16,711 people
70
/100
Maple Lake
Serves ~2,215 people
70
/100
Clearwater
Serves ~2,129 people
70
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Maple Lake, Minnesota (population ~5,266), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 21,055 people region-wide.

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

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Maple Lake: B (70/100)

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

Maple Lake 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
55358 B Maple Lake 2,215

All ZIP Codes in Maple Lake

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Maple Lake Community Health Snapshot

10%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
9.2%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.2%
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% ↑
Diabetes 9.2% ↓
Mental Health 15.2% ↑

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Maple Lake Infrastructure Age

1976
Median Build Year
67%
Built Before 1986
31%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 67% 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. Maple Lake's median build year of 1976 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.

1976
Median Year Built
67%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
31%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (31%) 1970–1986 (36%) Post-1986 (33%)

Over half of homes in Maple Lake 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Maple Lake

While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Maple Lake is notably favorable — the equity share is small enough that the household financial perspective is one of proportionality rather than pressure, and most homeowners can treat it as routine planning rather than a significant financial event.

Median Home Value
$299,100
Est. Remediation
$2,400
Remediation as % of home value 0.8%

Remediation costs in Maple Lake are relatively low compared to home values. The $1,600–$3,300 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 25% above the Minnesota average.

Maple Lake: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

67%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.002
mg/L Avg Lead (Limit: 0.015)

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 Maple Lake have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 67% 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.

Maple Lake: Flood History & Water Damage Risk

Across the NFIP's long tracking period, Maple Lake shows 1 claim and 100% of ZIP codes within FEMA-designated flood zones — figures that place it in moderate flood exposure territory. At this level, the water-quality implications of flooding — contaminated wells, stressed treatment intake, distribution backflow — move from theoretical edge cases to genuine periodic risks, particularly during higher-severity events.

1
Total FEMA Flood Claims
$2,871
Avg Claim Payout
100%
ZIPs in FEMA Flood Zones

Maple Lake has a moderate flood history with 1 FEMA claims averaging $2,871 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.

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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.

Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.

Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Maple Lake, MN?
Maple Lake has an average water safety score of 70/100 (Grade B). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
Does Maple Lake water have lead?
The average 90th-percentile lead level in Maple Lake is 0.002 mg/L. This is below the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L. Lead levels can vary by home — testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Maple Lake compare to Minnesota average?
Maple Lake has an average water safety score of 70/100, which is above the Minnesota state average of 62/100.
How many water systems serve Maple Lake?
Maple Lake is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 5,266 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Maple Lake?
Estimated remediation costs in Maple Lake average $2,400 per household, ranging from $1,600 to $3,300. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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