Water System Report MN

Houston

EPA ID: MN1280005 · 997 people served · 1 ZIP code

Zero violations in five consecutive years of EPA monitoring — Houston has held a clean track record across every reporting cycle in that span, with no enforcement activity of any kind on file for the full service population of 997 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 62
Avg Safety Score
997
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$228K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Houston Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$69,896
Median Household Income
3,070
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
70th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Houston serves a community with a median household income of $69,896 and an estimated 3,070 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Houston's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
40th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 3% of homes in Houston County, Minnesota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

61 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
4 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 94% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

The Meadows
1,000 people
0 violations
Buhl
1,000 people
B 2 violations
B 0 violations
Scanlon
1,003 people
0 violations
Walker
990 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

System Overview

Houston (EPA ID: MN1280005) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 997 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 55943 in Houston.

Average Home Safety Score: C (62/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Houston (MN1280005) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Houston water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Houston has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Houston serve?

Houston serves approximately 997 people across 1 ZIP code in Minnesota.

Where does Houston get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
507-896-4033
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Contact information from Houston Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Houston Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

19
Confirmed Lead
6
Galvanized — Replacement Required
4
Unknown Material
420
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 997
Reported to Minnesota

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Houston safe to drink?
Houston has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Houston meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Houston serve?
Houston serves approximately 997 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Houston's water source?
Houston draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Houston's service area?
The Houston service area has a median household income of $69,896. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Houston get its water?
Houston's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Houston (EPA ID: MN1280005) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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