McHenry County, North Dakota
14 ZIP codes · Avg score 49/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
McHenry County's 14 ZIP codes show a poor compliance record — repeated MCL exceedances have kept the county in the bottom tier for water safety.
How McHenry County Compares
How McHenry County Compares
McHenry County scores 7 points below the North Dakota state average (56/100) and 19 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: McHenry 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: 14.2 (asthma 10%, diabetes 12.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $685, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.419% avg pipe failure probability, 86% of ZIPs at high risk
75.9% 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: $685
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
3,150 housing units in McHenry 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 McHenry County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in McHenry County, representing a small fraction of property value.
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 McHenry 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 McHenry County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Towner | 479 | 5 |
| 2 | City of Granville | 241 | 4 |
| 3 | City of Karlsruhe | 82 | 3 |
| 4 | City of Velva | 1,084 | 2 |
| 5 | DRAKE CITY OF | 275 | 0 |
6 total water systems serve McHenry County.
All ZIP Codes in McHenry County
14 ZIP codes tracked in McHenry County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58788 | Towner | 69 | C | 5 (1 health) | $126K |
| 2 | 58744 | Karlsruhe | 67 | C | 3 | $171K |
| 3 | 58789 | Upham | 66 | C | 0 | $118K |
| 4 | 58741 | Granville | 61 | C | 4 | $124K |
| 5 | 58792 | Voltaire | 53 | D | 0 | $213K |
| 6 | 58736 | Drake | 48 | D | 0 | $84K |
| 7 | 58790 | Velva | 47 | D | 2 | $233K |
| 8 | 58710 | Anamoose | 40 | D | 0 | $114K |
| 9 | 58712 | Balfour | 40 | D | 0 | $104K |
| 10 | 58713 | Bantry | 40 | D | 0 | $577K |
| 11 | 58723 | Butte | 40 | D | 0 | $119K |
| 12 | 58748 | Kramer | 40 | D | 0 | — |
| 13 | 58758 | Martin | 40 | D | 0 | $113K |
| 14 | 58762 | Newburg | 40 | D | 0 | $113K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for McHenry County
Filtered against federal data, fitted to local risks.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 75.9% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for McHenry County, North Dakota
Overview
McHenry County in North Dakota covers 14 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (49/100).
4 of 14 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation 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
McHenry 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
75.9% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.