Radium in Minnesota Drinking Water — 29 ZIPs Tested
EPA data analysis for radium in Minnesota drinking water systems
ZipCheckup tracks Radium in Minnesota drinking water: 29 ZIP codes with detected levels on record. 4 ZIP codes exceed the EPA limit (5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228)). Radium carries a high health-risk designation.
Radium Contamination in Minnesota
ZipCheckup analyzed drinking water data across 1,009 ZIP codes in Minnesota for radium contamination. 29 ZIP codes have reported radium detections, and 4 have EPA violations on record.
The violation rate for radium in Minnesota is 0.4% of all ZIP codes — lower than the national average.
EPA Standard for Radium
The EPA maximum contaminant level (MCL) for radium is 5 pCi/L (combined Ra-226 + Ra-228), governed by the Radionuclides Rule. Water systems that exceed this limit must take corrective action and notify consumers.
Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Minnesota
These ZIP codes reported the highest radium levels in Minnesota based on CCR reports and EPA data:
Lowest Radium Levels in Minnesota
These ZIP codes had the lowest reported radium detections in Minnesota:
Health Effects of Radium
Radium is a radioactive element that increases cancer risk, particularly bone cancer. It accumulates in bones because the body treats it like calcium. The EPA estimates that drinking water with 5 pCi/L of radium over a lifetime poses a 1 in 10,000 cancer risk.
How to Remove Radium From Drinking Water
The most effective treatment for radium removal is Reverse Osmosis or Ion Exchange. Look for filters certified under NSF 58 standards.
Check Your ZIP Code
Use the ZipCheckup water quality search to see radium data for your specific water system in Minnesota.
Worst ZIP Codes for Radium in Minnesota
Ranked by highest radium detection level.
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | Level Detected | EPA Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 55304 | Andover | 20 pCi/l | 15 pCi/l | Exceeds |
| 2 | 55075 | South Saint Paul | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 3 | 55076 | Inver Grove Heights | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 4 | 55077 | Inver Grove Heights | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 5 | 55118 | Saint Paul | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 6 | 55120 | Saint Paul | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 7 | 55121 | Saint Paul | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 8 | 55123 | Saint Paul | 11.6 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 9 | 55068 | Rosemount | 11.3 pCi/l | 15 pCi/l | Within Limit |
| 10 | 55024 | Farmington | 10 pCi/L | 15 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 11 | 55016 | Cottage Grove | 8.6 pCi/l | 15 pCi/l | Within Limit |
| 12 | 55071 | Saint Paul Park | 8.6 pCi/l | 15 pCi/l | Within Limit |
| 13 | 55010 | Castle Rock | 3.8 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 14 | 55057 | Northfield | 3.8 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 15 | 55021 | Faribault | 3.6 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 16 | 55901 | Rochester | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 17 | 55902 | Rochester | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 18 | 55903 | Rochester | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 19 | 55904 | Rochester | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |
| 20 | 55905 | Rochester | 3.5 pCi/L | 5 pCi/L | Within Limit |