Mc Cook, NE: High Radon Risk — 45/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Mc Cook, EPA compliance records fall well below NE averages — documented health-based violations affect multiple service areas, and the city's sustained low grade reflects a persistent pattern across reporting cycles.
How Mc Cook Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Mc Cook Water
- Homes built before 1986: 82% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.06 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Mc Cook
Water service in Mc Cook, NE is organized around a single utility — one of 1 tracked by regulator, and the one that manages the local distribution network while holding primary responsibility for EPA compliance reporting.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mc Cook, Nebraska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 9,059 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mc Cook — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mc Cook: D (45/100)
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
Mc Cook water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mc Cook
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 69001 | D | INDIANOLA, CITY OF | 584 |
All ZIP Codes in Mc Cook
- 69001 [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 Mc Cook
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 Mc Cook
With 82% 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
The character of Mc Cook's housing stock is one of deep historical layering — a median build year of 1952 signals a city built largely before the plumbing era changes of 1986 and 1970. Lead-soldered copper joints and, in the oldest properties, lead service lines are commonly present in this inventory. That context shapes what individual water testing may reveal, particularly in neighborhoods where the oldest housing is concentrated.
Over half of homes in Mc Cook 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 Mc Cook Homeowners
How does remediation fit within the broader financial picture for Mc Cook homeowners? The equity share is moderate — large enough that treating it as a real planning consideration makes sense, and manageable enough that most homeowners have a clear path to addressing documented water and safety issues when they approach the commitment with deliberate advance budgeting rather than as an unplanned expense.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Mc Cook. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 15% below the Nebraska average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Mc Cook
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.
In recent monitoring under the Lead and Copper Rule, citywide samples for Mc Cook have approached or crossed the regulatory action level on multiple occasions. Combined with 82% of stock dating from the pre-rule era, the picture supports baseline single-tap reads as a standard household-level step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Flood & Climate Risk in Mc Cook
100% of ZIP codes in Mc Cook are mapped into FEMA-designated flood zones, and the NFIP records 13 claims reflecting a multi-event flood history. That combination places local flood exposure in the range where water-quality implications deserve at least periodic attention.
Mc Cook has a moderate flood history with 13 FEMA claims averaging $3,483 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. 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. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
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.
What You Can Do in Mc Cook
- 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 82% 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 Mc Cook, NE