Wells County, North Dakota
6 ZIP codes · Avg score 53/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-03
While Wells County's situation varies by ZIP, its 6 ZIP codes collectively fall below the state average — addressing specific concerns starts with checking the system that serves a given address.
How Wells County Compares
How Wells County Compares
Wells County scores 3 points below the North Dakota state average (56/100) and 15 points below the national average (68/100).
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
ZIP Code Risk Map
Water Quality Map: Wells 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: 14.9 (asthma 10.1%, diabetes 13.8%)
Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $662, driven primarily by water_lead
Infrastructure: 0.467% avg pipe failure probability, 100% of ZIPs at high risk
84.7% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)
Violation History (2024–2025)
→ Stable trendEPA violation counts by year across Wells County water systems. Health-based shown in red, total in blue.
Peak year: 2024 with 1 violation. Past 5 years: 2 total (2 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: $662
Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).
Housing Age Distribution
2,360 housing units in Wells 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 Wells County
Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Wells 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 Wells 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 Wells County ranked by EPA violation count.
| # | Water System | Population | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Plains Water District | 3,504 | 27 |
| 2 | City of Cathay | 43 | 20 |
| 3 | Stutsman Rural Water District | 5,550 | 5 |
| 4 | City of Sykeston | 117 | 5 |
| 5 | City of Bowdon | 131 | 2 |
7 total water systems serve Wells County.
All ZIP Codes in Wells County
6 ZIP codes tracked in Wells County.
| # | ZIP Code | City | Safety Score | Grade | Violations | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 58438 | Fessenden | 70 | B | 0 | $79K |
| 2 | 58486 | Sykeston | 62 | C | 5 | $97K |
| 3 | 58418 | Bowdon | 53 | D | 2 | $81K |
| 4 | 58422 | Cathay | 47 | D | 20 (2 health) | $164K |
| 5 | 58341 | Harvey | 46 | D | 0 | $132K |
| 6 | 58423 | Chaseley | 40 | D | 0 | $152K |
Recommended Buyer Guides for Wells County
Below: editorial picks, no sponsored placements.
- Best Lead Paint Test Kits — 84.7% of homes built before 1978
- Best Radon Test Kits — EPA Radon Zone 1 (highest risk) dominant in county
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wells County, North Dakota
Overview
Wells County in North Dakota covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (53/100).
3 of 6 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
Wells 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
84.7% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.