Out of 351 ZIP codes with data in Minnesota, these are the highest-ranked areas for violations. See also: National ZIP Codes with Most EPA Water Violations | All Minnesota Rankings
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| ZIP codes ranked | 351 |
| Highest value | 30 |
| Median value | 1 |
| State | Minnesota |
Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes
| Rank | ZIP Code | City | State | Violations | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 56735 | Lancaster | MN | 30 | 37/100 |
| 2 | 56253 | Lake Lillian | MN | 19 | 45/100 |
| 3 | 56267 | Morris | MN | 19 | 45/100 |
| 4 | 56572 | Pelican Rapids | MN | 19 | 40/100 |
| 5 | 56501 | Detroit Lakes | MN | 17 | 40/100 |
| 6 | 56502 | Detroit Lakes | MN | 17 | 45/100 |
| 7 | 56216 | Blomkest | MN | 16 | 51/100 |
| 8 | 55335 | Gibbon | MN | 15 | 33/100 |
| 9 | 56525 | Comstock | MN | 13 | 69/100 |
| 10 | 55087 | Warsaw | MN | 12 | 61/100 |
| 11 | 56523 | Climax | MN | 12 | 59/100 |
| 12 | 55073 | Scandia | MN | 11 | 60/100 |
| 13 | 56537 | Fergus Falls | MN | 11 | 38/100 |
| 14 | 56538 | Fergus Falls | MN | 11 | 38/100 |
| 15 | 56667 | Puposky | MN | 11 | 71/100 |
| 16 | 55065 | Randolph | MN | 9 | 54/100 |
| 17 | 56601 | Bemidji | MN | 8 | 75/100 |
| 18 | 56619 | Bemidji | MN | 8 | 75/100 |
| 19 | 56310 | Avon | MN | 7 | 61/100 |
| 20 | 56756 | Salol | MN | 7 | 47/100 |
| 21 | 55362 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 69/100 |
| 22 | 55365 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 23 | 55561 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 24 | 55563 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 25 | 55565 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 26 | 55580 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 27 | 55581 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 28 | 55582 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 29 | 55584 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 30 | 55585 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 31 | 55586 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 32 | 55587 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 33 | 55588 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 34 | 55589 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 35 | 55590 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 36 | 55591 | Monticello | MN | 6 | 65/100 |
| 37 | 55965 | Preston | MN | 6 | 62/100 |
| 38 | 56073 | New Ulm | MN | 6 | 62/100 |
| 39 | 55045 | Lindstrom | MN | 5 | 76/100 |
| 40 | 55069 | Rush City | MN | 5 | 75/100 |
| 41 | 55731 | Ely | MN | 5 | 78/100 |
| 42 | 55746 | Hibbing | MN | 5 | 53/100 |
| 43 | 55747 | Hibbing | MN | 5 | 45/100 |
| 44 | 55953 | Lyle | MN | 5 | 54/100 |
| 45 | 55987 | Winona | MN | 5 | 57/100 |
| 46 | 56026 | Ellendale | MN | 5 | 65/100 |
| 47 | 56111 | Alpha | MN | 5 | 65/100 |
| 48 | 56274 | Norcross | MN | 5 | 66/100 |
| 49 | 56342 | Isle | MN | 5 | 79/100 |
| 50 | 56550 | Hendrum | MN | 5 | 53/100 |
| 51 | 56701 | Thief River Falls | MN | 5 | 56/100 |
| 52 | 56763 | Warroad | MN | 5 | 68/100 |
| 53 | 55019 | Dundas | MN | 4 | 67/100 |
| 54 | 55044 | Lakeville | MN | 4 | 63/100 |
| 55 | 55052 | Morristown | MN | 4 | 63/100 |
| 56 | 55076 | Inver Grove Heights | MN | 4 | 58/100 |
| 57 | 55077 | Inver Grove Heights | MN | 4 | 58/100 |
| 58 | 55323 | Crystal Bay | MN | 4 | 47/100 |
| 59 | 55332 | Fairfax | MN | 4 | 68/100 |
| 60 | 55382 | South Haven | MN | 4 | 57/100 |
| 61 | 55385 | Stewart | MN | 4 | 51/100 |
| 62 | 55601 | Beaver Bay | MN | 4 | 52/100 |
| 63 | 55704 | Askov | MN | 4 | 81/100 |
| 64 | 55707 | Barnum | MN | 4 | 72/100 |
| 65 | 55734 | Eveleth | MN | 4 | 79/100 |
| 66 | 55912 | Austin | MN | 4 | 53/100 |
| 67 | 55924 | Claremont | MN | 4 | 67/100 |
| 68 | 55959 | Minnesota City | MN | 4 | 65/100 |
| 69 | 55982 | Waltham | MN | 4 | 53/100 |
| 70 | 56045 | Hollandale | MN | 4 | 60/100 |
| 71 | 56228 | Cosmos | MN | 4 | 61/100 |
| 72 | 56349 | Lowry | MN | 4 | 63/100 |
| 73 | 56358 | Ogilvie | MN | 4 | 64/100 |
| 74 | 56516 | Bejou | MN | 4 | 52/100 |
| 75 | 56519 | Borup | MN | 4 | 67/100 |
| 76 | 56583 | Tintah | MN | 4 | 65/100 |
| 77 | 56672 | Remer | MN | 4 | 81/100 |
| 78 | 56714 | Badger | MN | 4 | 64/100 |
| 79 | 55018 | Dennison | MN | 3 | 66/100 |
| 80 | 55604 | Grand Marais | MN | 3 | 66/100 |
| 81 | 55614 | Silver Bay | MN | 3 | 69/100 |
| 82 | 55901 | Rochester | MN | 3 | 54/100 |
| 83 | 55902 | Rochester | MN | 3 | 54/100 |
| 84 | 55903 | Rochester | MN | 3 | 64/100 |
| 85 | 55904 | Rochester | MN | 3 | 49/100 |
| 86 | 55905 | Rochester | MN | 3 | 58/100 |
| 87 | 55906 | Rochester | MN | 3 | 54/100 |
| 88 | 56001 | Mankato | MN | 3 | 59/100 |
| 89 | 56002 | Mankato | MN | 3 | 69/100 |
| 90 | 56003 | Mankato | MN | 3 | 64/100 |
| 91 | 56006 | Mankato | MN | 3 | 65/100 |
| 92 | 56009 | Alden | MN | 3 | 42/100 |
| 93 | 56042 | Hartland | MN | 3 | 65/100 |
| 94 | 56054 | Lafayette | MN | 3 | 55/100 |
| 95 | 56161 | Okabena | MN | 3 | 67/100 |
| 96 | 56172 | Slayton | MN | 3 | 69/100 |
| 97 | 56173 | Steen | MN | 3 | 51/100 |
| 98 | 56223 | Clarkfield | MN | 3 | 69/100 |
| 99 | 56278 | Ortonville | MN | 3 | 59/100 |
| 100 | 56293 | Wabasso | MN | 3 | 69/100 |
Methodology
Violation counts include all types recorded in the EPA SDWIS database: Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) violations, treatment technique violations, and monitoring/reporting violations. Both resolved and unresolved violations are counted. Higher counts may reflect longer system histories or larger service areas.
Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an EPA water violation?
EPA violations include exceeding Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs), failing to treat water properly (treatment technique violations), and not testing or reporting on schedule (monitoring violations). Health-based violations are the most serious.
Does a high violation count mean the water is unsafe now?
Not necessarily. Many violations are historical or monitoring-related. However, a pattern of repeated violations indicates systemic issues with water system management or infrastructure.
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