CITY REPORT ND

Marion, ND: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Within Marion, water quality data indicates below-average safety by ND standards — independent testing is a reasonable precaution for residents whose systems show active violations.

How Marion Compares

Marion40/100
North Dakota avg56/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
3
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
D · 40
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$114K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (1.1% of home value)

Key Facts for Marion Residents

  • Homes built before 1986: 61% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.92 — above typical levels.

Marion's Water Providers

Residential addresses in Marion, ND are served by 3 primary water providers out of 3 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.

Barnes Rural Water District
Serves ~4,938 people
40
/100
Southeast Wud (west)
Serves ~1,275 people
40
/100
LITCHVILLE CITY OF
Serves ~172 people
40
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Marion, North Dakota (population ~461), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 6,385 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Marion — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Marion: D (40/100)

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

Marion water systems draw from: Groundwater.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Marion
  • 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
58466 D Barnes Rural Water District 4,938

All ZIP Codes in Marion

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Marion Community Health Snapshot

9.9%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
12.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
12.9%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 9.9% ↑
Diabetes 12.5% ↑
Mental Health 12.9% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Marion Infrastructure Age

1972
Median Build Year
61%
Built Before 1986
23%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 61% 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 Marion, the median build year of 1972 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.

1972
Median Year Built
61%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
23%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (23%) 1970–1986 (38%) Post-1986 (39%)

Over half of homes in Marion 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.

How Remediation Costs Compare in Marion

The household financial perspective in Marion reflects a moderate cost-to-value ratio — an equity share that is not trivially small but remains within the range where most homeowners can address documented water and safety issues by treating the expense as a real line item in property planning rather than a discretionary one.

Median Home Value
$113,700
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 1.1%

Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Marion. The estimated $800–$1,500 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 35% below the North Dakota average.

Marion: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

61%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

61% of Marion housing dates to the pre-rule era, alongside aggregate readings hovering at the federal action mark — household-level confirmation through a draw-test kit fits the local picture.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

What You Can Do in Marion

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 61% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Marion, ND?
Marion has an average water safety score of 40/100 (Grade D). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Marion compare to North Dakota average?
Marion has an average water safety score of 40/100, which is below the North Dakota state average of 56/100.
How many water systems serve Marion?
Marion is served by 3 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 461 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Marion?
Estimated remediation costs in Marion average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,500. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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