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.

Data: EPA SDWIS, FEMA NFIP, Census ACS Last verified: 2026-07-19

Water Quality in Saint Paul

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 have been recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Paul - an excellent indicator of water quality.

Average Home Safety Score: D (54/100)

Water sources: Groundwater, Surface water.

Lead Risk

• 65% of housing built before 1986 (when lead solder was banned)
• 25% of housing built before 1950 (when lead pipes were standard)
• Median year built: 1964
• Most common estimated pipe material: Copper
• Lead exposure risk score: 53/100
• Estimated lead service line probability: 21%
• 22 ZIP codes classified as high or very high lead risk

With 65% of homes built before the 1986 lead solder ban, Saint Paul residents - especially those in older neighborhoods - should consider testing their tap water for lead. Homes built before 1950 are at the highest risk of having lead service lines.

Housing Age Distribution

338,922 total housing units across 42 ZIP codes:

Flood Risk

FEMA National Flood Insurance Program data for Saint Paul:

• 222 flood insurance claims on record
• $4,212,727 total paid out
• $18,976 average claim payout
• Dominant FEMA flood zone: X (Low risk)
• 6 of 42 ZIP codes in high-risk flood zones (A/V)

Radon Risk

Dominant EPA 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.

Neighborhoods by Safety Score

Safest Areas

Areas Needing Attention

What Saint Paul Residents Can Do

Test Your Water

• Order a certified lab test - home test kits cost $20–50 and cover lead, bacteria, and common contaminants
• Request your utility's CCR (Consumer Confidence Report) - your water provider must publish this annually
• Check your ZIP code - each area in Saint Paul has different water systems and risk levels

Filter Your Water

• NSF-certified pitcher filter removes chlorine taste and some contaminants ($20–40)
• NSF 53-certified filter for lead - recommended for homes built before 1986
• Reverse osmosis system removes 95%+ of contaminants including lead, PFAS, and nitrates ($150–400)

Test for Radon

• Saint Paul is in a moderate-risk radon area
• Short-term radon test kits cost $10–25
• If levels exceed 4 pCi/L, EPA recommends professional mitigation

Stay Informed

• Visit your ZIP code report for detailed, address-level data
• Sign up for EPA water quality alerts
• Review the annual water quality report from your local utility

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]

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the tap water safe to drink in Saint Paul, MN?

Saint Paul has an average Home Safety Score of 54/100 (grade D) across 42 ZIP codes. No EPA violations have been recorded. Safety varies by neighborhood - check your specific ZIP code report for details.

Is Saint Paul at risk for flooding?

FEMA data shows 222 flood insurance claims in Saint Paul ZIP codes, with an average payout of $18,976. 6 of 42 ZIP codes are in high-risk FEMA flood zones (A or V).

Are there lead pipes in Saint Paul homes?

65% of Saint Paul housing was built before 1986, when lead solder was common in plumbing. 25% was built before 1950, when lead pipes were standard. The most common estimated pipe material is Copper. The estimated probability of lead service lines is 21%. We recommend testing your water if your home was built before 1986.

Data Sources

• Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
• Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
• Housing age: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey
• Flood data: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program
• Lead exposure: Composite risk score based on housing age, water lead levels, and service line estimates
• Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones

Updated daily.

Housing Age Profile

A median build year of 1964 in Saint Paul points to a housing stock where post-1986 construction is the norm. That matters because lead solder in plumbing - banned federally in 1986 - is a primary pathway by which older homes can elevate tap water lead above what enters the distribution system.

1964

Median Year Built

0%

Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)

0%

Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)

Most homes in Saint Paul 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.

Climate-Related Water Risk for Saint Paul

Flood exposure in Saint Paul is meaningful by NFIP measures - 222 claims on record and 0% 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.

222

Total FEMA Flood Claims

~11

Est. Claims/Year

Saint Paul has a moderate flood history with 222 FEMA claims. 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.

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.