Saint Paul, MN Water Safety: 54/100 (2026)
42 ZIP codes · 11 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in MN, Saint Paul records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Saint Paul Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Water Quality Map: Saint Paul, MN
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Score Distribution
Distribution of water safety grades across Saint Paul.
Saint Paul Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 65% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,760 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 11.36.
Water Systems Serving Saint Paul
11 water systems are tracked federally in Saint Paul, MN. The top 3 providers collectively serve most residential addresses, but because they operate independently, infrastructure maintenance standards and compliance histories differ from one service zone to another.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 42 ZIP codes in Saint Paul, Minnesota, covering 11 community water systems serving approximately 817,295 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Paul — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Paul: D (54/100)
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
Saint Paul water systems draw from: Groundwater, Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Paul
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)
- Zone 1 (High): 14 ZIP codes
- Zone 2 (Moderate): 28 ZIP codes
- Zone 3 (Low): 0 ZIP codes
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 55101 | C | Minneapolis | 425,300 |
| 55102 | C | Minneapolis | 425,300 |
| 55103 | C | Minneapolis | 425,300 |
| 55104 | C | Minneapolis | 425,300 |
| 55105 | C | Minneapolis | 425,300 |
| 55106 | C | Stillwater | 19,462 |
| 55107 | D | Newport | 4,000 |
| 55108 | C | Minneapolis | 425,300 |
| 55109 | C | Stillwater | 19,462 |
| 55110 | D | Willernie | 525 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Paul
- 55101 [C]
- 55102 [C]
- 55103 [C]
- 55104 [C]
- 55105 [C]
- 55106 [C]
- 55107 [D]
- 55108 [C]
- 55109 [C]
- 55110 [D]
- 55111 [D]
- 55112 [C]
- 55113 [C]
- 55114 [C]
- 55115 [D]
- 55116 [C]
- 55117 [C]
- 55118 [D]
- 55119 [D]
- 55120 [D]
- 55121 [D]
- 55122 [D]
- 55123 [D]
- 55124 [D]
- 55125 [D]
- 55126 [C]
- 55127 [C]
- 55128 [D]
- 55129 [D]
- 55130 [D]
- 55133 [D]
- 55144 [D]
- 55145 [D]
- 55146 [D]
- 55155 [D]
- 55164 [D]
- 55165 [D]
- 55170 [D]
- 55172 [D]
- 55175 [D]
- 55187 [D]
- 55188 [D]
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
Updated daily.
CDC Health Data for Saint Paul
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
How Old Is Saint Paul's Housing Stock?
With 65% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Saint Paul, the median build year of 1964 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Saint Paul 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.
Saint Paul: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Placing remediation in the context of Saint Paul's property market, the equity share is low — most homeowners here are weighing a financial commitment that fits comfortably within routine property planning, far from the threshold where remediation becomes a material equity decision rather than a standard upkeep consideration.
Remediation costs in Saint Paul are relatively low compared to home values. The $981–$2,683 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% above the Minnesota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Saint Paul
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 65% of the Saint Paul inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Saint Paul
Flood exposure in Saint Paul is meaningful by NFIP measures — 222 claims on record and 55% of ZIP codes carrying FEMA flood zone designations. That level of activity makes flood history a relevant factor when evaluating local water quality over time.
Saint Paul has a moderate flood history with 222 FEMA claims averaging $8,214 per payout. 55% 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>$1,760</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.
What You Can Do in Saint Paul
- 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. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 65% 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 Saint Paul, MN