Ward County, North Dakota
17 ZIP codes · Avg score 51/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
Ward County ranks below average for water safety, with health-based violations recorded across multiple of its 17 ZIP codes.
How Ward County Compares
How Ward County Compares
Ward County scores 5 points below the North Dakota state average (56/100) and 17 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Ward 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: 11.6 (asthma 9.9%, diabetes 9.1%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $1,012, driven primarily by flood
Infrastructure: 0.374% avg pipe failure probability, 41% of ZIPs at high risk
64.2% 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: $1,012
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
31,082 housing units in Ward 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 Ward County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Ward 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 Ward 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 Ward County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | City of Minot | 48,743 | 10 |
| 2 | North Prairie Rwd-system 1&2 | 7,748 | 8 |
| 3 | North Prairie Rwd-system Iii | 2,742 | 8 |
| 4 | West River Water and Sewer | 450 | 8 |
| 5 | City of Plaza | 171 | 8 |
15 total water systems serve Ward County.
All ZIP Codes in Ward County
17 ZIP codes tracked in Ward County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58779 | Ryder | 70 | B | 1 | $58K |
| 2 | 58746 | Kenmare | 69 | C | 3 | $148K |
| 3 | 58718 | Berthold | 67 | C | 3 | $217K |
| 4 | 58781 | Sawyer | 63 | C | 1 | $263K |
| 5 | 58722 | Burlington | 60 | C | 0 | $241K |
| 6 | 58756 | Makoti | 55 | C | 2 | $106K |
| 7 | 58725 | Carpio | 53 | D | 0 | $207K |
| 8 | 58787 | Tolley | 53 | D | 0 | — |
| 9 | 58785 | Surrey | 51 | D | 2 | $306K |
| 10 | 58702 | Minot | 48 | D | 2 | — |
| 11 | 58707 | Minot | 48 | D | 2 | — |
| 12 | 58735 | Douglas | 45 | D | 0 | $330K |
| 13 | 58733 | Des Lacs | 40 | D | 0 | $167K |
| 14 | 58734 | Donnybrook | 40 | D | 0 | $167K |
| 15 | 58768 | Norwich | 40 | D | 0 | $189K |
| 16 | 58701 | Minot | 33 | F | 2 | $270K |
| 17 | 58703 | Minot | 33 | F | 2 | $255K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Ward 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 — 64.2% 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 Ward County, North Dakota
Overview
Ward County in North Dakota covers 17 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (51/100).
10 of 17 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.
What You Can Do
Ward 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
64.2% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.