Owatonna, MN Water - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
Key Facts for Owatonna Residents
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 66% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $3,000 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.82 - above typical levels.
Owatonna's Water Providers
Owatonna, MN runs on one primary water provider among the 1 federally tracked system. A single utility is responsible for the overwhelming share of residential supply - including the infrastructure, compliance filings, and rate schedules that govern service for most households.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Owatonna, Minnesota, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 29,601 people. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.
The available EPA record reports 0 violations for 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count.
Water Sources
Owatonna water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0020 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.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55060 | — | Owatonna | 26,430 |
All ZIP Codes in Owatonna
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.
Owatonna 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
Owatonna Infrastructure Age
With 66% 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
The lead that enters tap water in older homes often comes not from the municipal supply but from the home's own plumbing - from solder used in copper joints before the 1986 federal ban, or from lead pipes installed before 1970. In Owatonna, where the median build year is 1975, these older materials are widespread. More than half the residential stock predates the 1986 solder ban, and a significant fraction predates 1970 as well. For residents in those homes, the city-wide water quality picture is a less relevant frame than the specific materials inside their own walls and under their own street.
Over half of homes in Owatonna 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 Owatonna
Although the Owatonna remediation share is moderate, it remains reachable for most homeowners who plan for the expense in advance.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Owatonna. The estimated $2,000–$4,000 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 0% above the Minnesota average.
Owatonna: 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.
Locally, 66% of Owatonna homes carry interior plumbing from the era when lead solder was still permitted in new builds, and citywide monitoring approaches or crosses the EPA action benchmark. Households can find a draw-test kit and certified filtration through verified retailers.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Owatonna: NFIP Claim Records and Water-Quality Context
Historical NFIP data for Owatonna contains 86 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $29,970. 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.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Owatonna, MN