Nelson County, North Dakota
8 ZIP codes · Avg score 59/100 · Grade C · Updated 2026-06-03
Within Nelson County, 8 tracked ZIP codes reveal moderate water quality — national standards are generally met, with some documented exceptions.
How Nelson County Compares
How Nelson County Compares
Nelson County scores 3 points above the North Dakota state average (56/100) and 9 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Nelson 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: 14.1 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 12.4%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,131, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.43% avg pipe failure probability, 88% of ZIPs at high risk
80.3% 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: $1,131
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
1,949 housing units in Nelson 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 Nelson 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 Nelson 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 Nelson County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRI-COUNTY WATER DISTRICT | 2,501 | 4 |
| 2 | Greater Ramsey Water District | 5,280 | 4 |
| 3 | City of Lakota | 672 | 4 |
| 4 | City of Tolna | 166 | 4 |
| 5 | City of Mcville | 349 | 0 |
9 total water systems serve Nelson County.
All ZIP Codes in Nelson County
8 ZIP codes tracked in Nelson County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58254 | Mcville | 70 | B | 0 | $107K |
| 2 | 58259 | Michigan | 70 | B | 0 | $103K |
| 3 | 58272 | Petersburg | 66 | C | 0 | $113K |
| 4 | 58344 | Lakota | 65 | C | 4 | $126K |
| 5 | 58380 | Tolna | 63 | C | 4 | — |
| 6 | 58361 | Pekin | 53 | D | 0 | $219K |
| 7 | 58381 | Warwick | 45 | D | 0 | $223K |
| 8 | 58266 | Niagara | 40 | D | 0 | $87K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Nelson County
If FEMA records flag flood-top-risk status or EPA samples show PFAS exceedances, the matching logic lifts emergency-water and PFAS-rated filtration into the recommendations — federal data drives the order, not retailer arrangements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 80.3% 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 Nelson County, North Dakota
Overview
Nelson County in North Dakota covers 8 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of C (59/100).
2 of 8 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
← 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.