Walnut Grove, MN: High Radon Risk — 55/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Unlike higher-rated cities in MN, Walnut Grove carries a fair number of documented violations — the pattern of compliance gaps keeps the city in the middle tier of EPA safety rankings.
How Walnut Grove Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Walnut Grove Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 87% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.85 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Walnut Grove
2 independent water providers serve Walnut Grove, MN — 2 systems appear in federal records.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Walnut Grove, Minnesota (population ~1,203), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 6,665 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Walnut Grove — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Walnut Grove: C (55/100)
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
Walnut Grove water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Walnut Grove
- 0 ZIP codes 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 56180 | C | Red Rock Rural Water System | 5,840 |
All ZIP Codes in Walnut Grove
- 56180 [C]
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 Walnut Grove
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 Walnut Grove's Housing Stock?
With 87% 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
Because the majority of Walnut Grove's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1957 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Walnut Grove 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.
Walnut Grove: Remediation Cost in Perspective
At current valuations, Walnut Grove sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Walnut Grove are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 47% below the Minnesota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Walnut Grove
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 87% pre-rule share in Walnut Grove 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 Walnut Grove
- 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 87% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Walnut Grove, MN