Benson County, North Dakota
9 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Poor compliance rates put Benson County in the bottom safety tier — 9 ZIP codes, below the state average.
How Benson County Compares
How Benson County Compares
Benson County scores 4 points below the North Dakota state average (56/100) and 16 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Benson County, North Dakota
Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.
Key Risk Factors
Health risk index: 16.1 (asthma 12.4%, diabetes 15.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,689, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.451% avg pipe failure probability, 89% of ZIPs at high risk
89.3% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2022–2024)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Benson County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2022 with 2 violations. Past 5 years: 4 total (4 health-based).
Source: EPA SDWIS historical violations. Data may lag 6–12 months for the most recent year.
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: $1,689
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,782 housing units in Benson 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 Benson 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 Benson 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 Benson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Plains Water District | 3,504 | 25 |
| 2 | OBERON CITY OF | 105 | 24 |
| 3 | City of Minnewaukan | 224 | 1 |
| 4 | Greater Ramsey Water District | 5,280 | 0 |
| 5 | LEEDS CITY OF | 427 | 0 |
6 total water systems serve Benson County.
All ZIP Codes in Benson County
9 ZIP codes tracked in Benson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58346 | Leeds | 70 | B | 0 | $88K |
| 2 | 58348 | Maddock | 66 | C | 0 | $77K |
| 3 | 58357 | Oberon | 63 | C | 24 (2 health) | $52K |
| 4 | 58332 | Esmond | 53 | D | 0 | $82K |
| 5 | 58351 | Minnewaukan | 53 | D | 1 | $106K |
| 6 | 58335 | Fort Totten | 45 | D | 0 | $37K |
| 7 | 58343 | Knox | 40 | D | 0 | $216K |
| 8 | 58386 | York | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 9 | 58325 | Churchs Ferry | 35 | F | 0 | — |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Benson County
Independent picks. EPA-grounded. Matched here.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 89.3% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
- Best Sump Pumps — Flood is the top compound risk factor
- Best Mold Test Kits — Flood-driven moisture and mold risk
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Benson County, North Dakota
Overview
Benson County in North Dakota covers 9 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).
2 of 9 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 2 health-based violations have been documented.
← Back to North Dakota 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.
What You Can Do
Benson County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.
Test your tap water
Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.
Consider a certified water filter
NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher
Contact your water utility
Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.
Check for lead in your home
89.3% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.