Stephen, MN: High Radon Risk - Home Safety Score unavailable
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated
Data: EPA SDWIS
What You Should Know About Stephen Water
- Average lead level: 0.002 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 80% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.87 - above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Stephen
A single utility carries the primary residential water load in Stephen, MN - the dominant provider across 1 federally tracked system.
Overview
We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Stephen, Minnesota (population ~845), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 3,295 people region-wide. 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
Stephen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56757 | — | Marshall-Polk Rural Water System | 3,295 |
All ZIP Codes in Stephen
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.
Health Outcomes in 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 Stephen
With 80% 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
Federal plumbing rules changed in two stages - lead pipes were phased out before 1970, and lead solder was banned in 1986 - but in Stephen, where the median build year is 1967, most of the housing was already in place before those rules took effect. The materials installed under older standards remain embedded in a substantial portion of the residential inventory today.
Over half of homes in 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 Stephen Homeowners
Viewed from a financial planning lens, Stephen sits in the high remediation-share tier - the equity impact of addressing documented issues is material, and deliberate preparation is more than a convenience here.
At 2.1% of home value, remediation costs in Stephen represent a significant financial burden. For homes valued near the median, fixing water and safety issues could cost $1,600–$3,300. Home values here are 53% below the Minnesota average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in 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.
Reading the local data together points toward a structural gap that matters more here than in low-exposure communities. 80% of Stephen stock comes from the pre-rule era, and citywide monitoring either approaches or sits beyond the federal benchmark under Lead and Copper Rule sampling. A baseline kit fits the routine-diligence category, with certified filtration available via retailer networks where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Historical NFIP Claim Context in Stephen
Historical NFIP data for Stephen contains 181 flood insurance claims. Among claims with payment data, the average reported building, contents, and ICC component sum is $9,705. 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>$2,400</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 Stephen, MN