Saint Stephen, MN Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike better-scoring cities in MN, Saint Stephen records health-based violations across a meaningful portion of its service areas — the overall safety grade is well below average.
How Saint Stephen Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Stephen Water
- Homes built before 1986: 53% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.14 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Stephen
The structure of water supply in Saint Stephen, MN is straightforward: one utility provides the bulk of residential service among 1 tracked system, concentrating rate-setting and infrastructure decisions under a single organization.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Stephen, Minnesota (population ~672), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,161 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Stephen — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Stephen: D (53/100)
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 Stephen water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Stephen
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56375 | D | Rice | 2,161 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Stephen
- 56375 [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.
Health Outcomes in Saint Stephen
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
Housing & Infrastructure in Saint Stephen
With 53% 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
When a city's housing median build year is 1985, as in Saint Stephen, the implication for water quality research is straightforward: municipal-level data captures what leaves the treatment plant, but household plumbing from before 1986 determines what actually arrives at the tap. In cities where older housing predominates, that gap between system-level and household-level data is widest.
Over half of homes in Saint Stephen 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.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Saint Stephen Homeowners
While no remediation project is entirely without cost, the relationship between estimated remediation and property values in Saint Stephen 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.
Remediation costs in Saint Stephen are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 1% below the Minnesota average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Stephen
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.
Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 53% pre-rule share in Saint Stephen keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Saint Stephen
- 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 53% 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 Stephen, MN