Lead in Rogers, MN: System Results Below Reporting Limit (Avg. of Reported System 90th Percentiles)
Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0000 mg/L (reported as 0; check the source record for detection limits, and do not read it as proof of no lead) · EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L
Key fact: Lead usually enters water from service lines and household plumbing, not the treatment plant. Even water that leaves the treatment plant with little or no lead can pick up lead from older plumbing.
Data: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau (ACS)
The 90th-percentile lead results reported to EPA by water systems mapped to the ZIP codes of Rogers are recorded as 0 mg/L. In EPA lead sampling data a reported 0 does not prove that no lead was present; EPA's health goal for lead is zero.
Lead Risk Overview
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Rogers, Minnesota is reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit). The EPA action level is 0.015 mg/L (15 parts per billion). This is within the EPA action level, though the EPA states there is no safe level of lead exposure.
Housing Age and Lead Risk
Lead plumbing solder was banned in 1986. Homes built before this date may have lead in:
- Solder joints connecting copper pipes
- Lead service lines connecting the water main to the home
- Brass fixtures and faucets containing up to 8% lead (pre-2014)
In Rogers:
| Factor | Value |
|---|---|
| Pre-1986 housing | 23% |
| Median build year | 1991 |
| Median household income | $152,239 |
| Population | 15,812 |
Most of Rogers's housing stock is relatively newer, which reduces (but does not eliminate) the risk of lead in plumbing. Even newer homes may connect to older water mains through lead service lines.
Health Effects of Lead Exposure
Lead exposure is a serious public health concern with no safe level identified by the CDC:
Children (under 6):
- Developmental delays and learning difficulties
- Reduced IQ and attention span
- Behavioral problems
- Slowed growth
Adults:
- Kidney damage
- High blood pressure
- Reproductive issues
- Nerve disorders
Pregnant women are especially at risk - lead crosses the placenta and affects fetal development.
Three-Source Lead Data Confirmation
Lead risk is best understood by combining multiple data sources:
| Source | Data Point | Value |
|---|---|---|
| EPA Lead & Copper Rule | 90th percentile lead level | reported as 0 mg/L (a reported 0 is not proof of no lead; check the source record for its reporting limit) (below 0.015 mg/L, the EPA action level for a water system's own 90th-percentile result; not a safety threshold) |
| Consumer Confidence Report | Reported lead (90th %ile) | CCR data not available |
| CDC Blood Lead Surveillance | Children with BLL >= 5 ug/dL (Minnesota, 2018) | 0.7% of tested children |
Cross-referencing multiple sources provides a more complete picture of lead risk than any single dataset.
Lead Service Line Replacement (LSLR)
Under EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Revisions (LCRR), water systems had to submit a service line inventory by October 2024. EPA's Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI, 2024) require most systems to replace lead service lines within 10 years, with compliance starting in November 2027. Rogers's water systems are subject to these requirements.
Federal funding for Minnesota:
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| FY2025 LSLR allotment | $28.6M |
| Additional subsidy | 49% available as grants/forgiveness |
| National total | $3.0B |
This funding is available through the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) for lead service line inventory and replacement projects in Minnesota.
To check if your home has a lead service line:
- Check your water utility's service line inventory (required to be publicly available)
- Inspect where the pipe enters your home - lead pipes are dull gray and can be scratched with a key
- Contact your water utility for a free service line inspection
Lead Risk by Housing Decade
The age of a home is one of the strongest predictors of lead risk in drinking water:
| Construction Era | Lead Risk Level | Key Concern |
|---|---|---|
| Before 1940 | Very High | Lead pipes, lead solder, lead paint |
| 1940–1959 | High | Lead solder common, some lead pipes |
| 1960–1978 | Moderate-High | Lead solder, lead paint (banned 1978) |
| 1979–1986 | Moderate | Lead solder still legal until 1986 |
| 1987–2013 | Low-Moderate | "Lead-free" = up to 8% lead in brass |
| 2014+ | Low | Reduction of Lead in Drinking Water Act (0.25% max) |
With a median build year of 1991, the typical home in Rogers falls in the low-moderate risk category for lead in plumbing. 23% of homes were built before the 1986 lead solder ban.
How to Test for Lead in Rogers
DIY Test Kits ($20–$50)
- Available at hardware stores and online
- Collect a "first-draw" sample (water sitting in pipes 6+ hours)
- Send to an EPA-certified lab for analysis
- Results typically in 1–2 weeks
Professional Lab Testing ($150–$400)
- Comprehensive panel: lead, copper, bacteria, nitrates, and more
- Certified technician collects samples
- Best for homes built before 1986 or after a plumbing change
Free Testing Options
- Many water utilities offer free lead testing - call your provider
- Some states offer free testing for homes with children under 6
- Check your annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for system-wide results
What to Expect
- Below 0.005 mg/L (5 ppb): Low concern
- 0.005–0.015 mg/L (5–15 ppb): Consider filtration, especially with children
- Above 0.015 mg/L (15 ppb): Exceeds EPA action level - take immediate action
- Above 0.040 mg/L (40 ppb): Use bottled water while addressing the source
Lead and Copper Rule Sampling History
Historical 90th percentile lead levels (ppb) from water systems serving Rogers:
| Year | Lead (ppb) | Samples |
|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 0 | Not published by source |
| 2004 | 3 | Not published by source |
| 2005 | 2 | Not published by source |
| 2005 | 5 | Not published by source |
| 2006 | 3 | Not published by source |
| 2007 | 0 | Not published by source |
| 2008 | 4.5 | Not published by source |
| 2010 | 2 | Not published by source |
| 2011 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2011 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2012 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2013 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2014 | 1.5 | Not published by source |
| 2016 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2017 | 1.5 | Not published by source |
| 2019 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2020 | 0 | Not published by source |
| 2022 | 1 | Not published by source |
| 2023 | 0 | Not published by source |
| 2025 | 0.5 | Not published by source |
| 2026 | 0 | Not published by source |
When the quarterly source does not publish sample counts, multi-system lead values are unweighted means of the available system 90th-percentile reports. They are not weighted by sample count.
The EPA action level is 15 ppb. Any year exceeding this threshold triggers mandatory corrective action under the Lead and Copper Rule.
How to Reduce Lead Exposure
- Flush your pipes - run cold water for 2+ minutes before drinking, especially in the morning
- Use cold water for cooking and baby formula (hot water dissolves more lead)
- Install a certified filter - look for NSF/ANSI Standard 53 certification for lead removal
- Get your water tested - EPA-certified kits cost $20–$50
- Replace lead service lines - check with your utility about replacement programs
Most Affected Areas
The ZIP code with the highest lead levels in Rogers is 55374. Check your specific ZIP code for detailed lead testing results.
Data Sources
- Lead levels: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Housing data: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Health information: CDC and EPA public health guidelines
- Blood lead surveillance: CDC Childhood Blood Lead Surveillance (CBLS)
- LSLR funding: EPA DWSRF Lead Service Line Replacement allotments
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.
Lead Risk by ZIP Code in Rogers
Rogers is covered by a single ZIP code, but lead risk can still differ by water system and home. Risk within it depends on housing age, water system, and testing results.
| ZIP Code | Grade | Score | Violations | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 55374 | C | 66/100 | 2 | View report → |
Frequently Asked Questions
Reported Lead Results and Ways to Stay Protected
The EPA action level applies to each water system's own 90th-percentile result, not to this average of reported results for Rogers, and it is not a safety threshold. To reduce lead exposure:
- Run cold water before drinking, especially in the morning; the time needed depends on your plumbing, so ask your utility how long to flush
- Clean faucet aerators regularly and replace them if they are worn or damaged
- If renovating, use lead-free certified fixtures (NSF/ANSI 61)
- Test after any plumbing work