Watonwan County, Minnesota
7 ZIP codes · Avg score 60/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Tracking 7 ZIP codes in Watonwan County reveals a mixed picture — tap water quality varies meaningfully by location.
How Watonwan County Compares
How Watonwan County Compares
Watonwan County scores 2 points below the Minnesota state average (62/100) and 8 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Watonwan County, Minnesota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 13.4 (asthma 9.6%, diabetes 12.9%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,199, driven primarily by energy_code_gap
Infrastructure: 0.487% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
90% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
County Health Indicators vs National Average
Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Infrastructure Overview
Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.
Compound Risk Breakdown
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,199
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
5,019 housing units in Watonwan County
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).
Water Safety Affordability
How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Watonwan County
Water safety remediation is a moderate expense relative to home values. Most homeowners can address issues through staged improvements over time.
Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.
Health Outcomes vs National Average
CDC PLACES data for Watonwan County residents
Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.
Water Systems with Most Violations
Top 5 systems in Watonwan County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Odin | 109 | 2 |
| 2 | Red Rock Rural Water System | 5,840 | 1 |
| 3 | Madelia | 2,319 | 1 |
| 4 | Ormsby | 129 | 1 |
| 5 | Darfur | 87 | 0 |
7 total water systems serve Watonwan County.
All ZIP Codes in Watonwan County
7 ZIP codes tracked in Watonwan County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56060 | Lewisville | 66 | C | 0 | $87K |
| 2 | 56120 | Butterfield | 66 | C | 0 | $117K |
| 3 | 56162 | Ormsby | 64 | C | 1 | $96K |
| 4 | 56022 | Darfur | 63 | C | 0 | $63K |
| 5 | 56062 | Madelia | 57 | C | 1 | $173K |
| 6 | 56160 | Odin | 54 | D | 2 | $71K |
| 7 | 56081 | Saint James | 53 | D | 0 | $153K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Watonwan County
Strictly editorial — no paid placements influence which guides appear; the selection draws on NSF certifications and EPA detection records for water systems serving this county.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 90% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Watonwan County, Minnesota
Overview
Watonwan County in Minnesota covers 7 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (60/100).
3 of 7 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← Back to Minnesota water quality report
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Home values: U.S. Census Bureau ACS (median estimates by ZCTA)
Updated daily.