Salem, NE: High Radon Risk — 70/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Across Salem, EPA monitoring data shows low violation rates and healthy safety margins — a pattern that places the city well above NE's average for drinking water compliance across recent reporting cycles.
How Salem Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Salem Water: The Quick Version
- Average lead level: 0.0007 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 15.2 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Salem
A single dominant system supplies most of Salem, NE. That utility controls infrastructure decisions, rate structures, and EPA compliance reporting for most residential addresses served across those 1 tracked system.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Salem, Nebraska, covering 1 community water system serving approximately 220 people.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Salem — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Salem: B (70/100)
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
Salem water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0007 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 68433 | B | Salem, Village of | 160 |
All ZIP Codes in Salem
- 68433 [B]
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 Salem
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 Salem's Housing Stock?
With 77% 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 Salem's housing predates 1986, when lead solder was banned from new plumbing, the median build year of 1903 reflects a city where lead-era plumbing materials are common rather than exceptional.
Over half of homes in Salem 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.
Salem: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Salem, the remediation-to-property-value ratio is elevated enough that homeowners who identify documented issues early have an advantage — understanding the scope, sequencing by urgency, and phasing the work against household budget capacity are the practical levers that determine whether remediation feels manageable or overwhelming at this equity tier.
At 2.4% of home value, remediation costs in Salem 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 41% below the Nebraska average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Salem
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.
Routinely in Salem, where 77% of housing predates the solder ban and aggregate utility readings hover near the federal threshold, a faucet-level draw functions as a standard household step for families with small kids.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Salem
Flood risk in Salem sits in a low-exposure range — NFIP claim volume is contained and FEMA flood zones cover a small portion of the area. For residents monitoring water quality, low flood frequency generally correlates with lower probability of the contamination events that flooding can introduce: overwhelmed treatment intake, well infiltration, and distribution backflow all require significant event size to materialize.
Salem has a relatively low flood history with 1 FEMA claims on record. While risk is limited, severe weather events can still impact water infrastructure.
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.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Salem, NE