2026 Rankings

Least Reliable Water Systems in North Dakota — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

407 ZIP codes ranked by Reliability Score #1: ZIP 58439 (Forbes, ND) - 22/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 407 ZIP codes with data in North Dakota, these are the lowest-ranked areas for reliability score. See also: National Least Reliable Water Systems in America | All North Dakota Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 407
Lowest value 22/100
Median value 75/100
State North Dakota

100 Lowest-Ranked ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Reliability Score Safety Score
1 58439 Forbes ND 22/100 61/100
2 58357 Oberon ND 29/100 63/100
3 58760 Maxbass ND 30/100 11/100
4 58374 Sheyenne ND 35/100 64/100
5 58559 Mercer ND 35/100 58/100
6 58626 Dunn Center ND 35/100 60/100
7 58329 Dunseith ND 37/100 61/100
8 58011 Buffalo ND 40/100 62/100
9 58030 Fairmount ND 40/100 66/100
10 58520 Almont ND 40/100 44/100
11 58645 Medora ND 40/100 61/100
12 58650 Regent ND 40/100 56/100
13 58060 Milnor ND 41/100 58/100
14 58737 Flaxton ND 41/100 67/100
15 58422 Cathay ND 44/100 47/100
16 58045 Hillsboro ND 45/100 56/100
17 58278 Thompson ND 45/100 61/100
18 58351 Minnewaukan ND 45/100 53/100
19 58490 Verona ND 45/100 86/100
20 58781 Sawyer ND 45/100 63/100
21 58785 Surrey ND 45/100 51/100
22 58801 Williston ND 45/100 61/100
23 58436 Ellendale ND 47/100 66/100
24 58444 Goodrich ND 49/100 64/100
25 58001 Abercrombie ND 50/100 65/100
26 58474 Oakes ND 50/100 68/100
27 58531 Coleharbor ND 50/100 65/100
28 58573 Strasburg ND 50/100 61/100
29 58741 Granville ND 50/100 61/100
30 58844 Fortuna ND 52/100 65/100
31 58463 Mcclusky ND 53/100 64/100
32 58562 New Leipzig ND 53/100 68/100
33 58048 Hunter ND 55/100 67/100
34 58228 Emerado ND 55/100 53/100
35 58344 Lakota ND 55/100 65/100
36 58486 Sykeston ND 55/100 62/100
37 58718 Berthold ND 55/100 67/100
38 58744 Karlsruhe ND 55/100 67/100
39 58756 Makoti ND 55/100 55/100
40 58776 Ross ND 55/100 59/100
41 58854 Watford City ND 57/100 64/100
42 58225 Drayton ND 58/100 53/100
43 58454 Jud ND 58/100 65/100
44 58032 Forman ND 60/100 52/100
45 58047 Horace ND 60/100 52/100
46 58240 Hatton ND 60/100 64/100
47 58267 Northwood ND 60/100 67/100
48 58356 New Rockford ND 60/100 62/100
49 58433 Edgeley ND 60/100 83/100
50 58441 Fullerton ND 60/100 64/100
51 58458 Lamoure ND 60/100 85/100
52 58853 Trenton ND 60/100 64/100
53 58021 Davenport ND 62/100 64/100
54 58783 Souris ND 62/100 69/100
55 58788 Towner ND 62/100 69/100
56 58015 Christine ND 65/100 65/100
57 58036 Gardner ND 65/100 64/100
58 58038 Grandin ND 65/100 63/100
59 58068 Sheldon ND 65/100 62/100
60 58317 Bisbee ND 65/100 65/100
61 58416 Binford ND 65/100 65/100
62 58478 Robinson ND 65/100 61/100
63 58494 Wing ND 65/100 65/100
64 58630 Gladstone ND 65/100 54/100
65 58632 Golva ND 65/100 53/100
66 58642 Manning ND 65/100 41/100
67 58651 Rhame ND 65/100 66/100
68 58656 Taylor ND 65/100 60/100
69 58765 Noonan ND 65/100 47/100
70 58793 Westhope ND 65/100 69/100
71 58063 Oriska ND 68/100 55/100
72 58260 Milton ND 68/100 70/100
73 58530 Center ND 68/100 67/100
74 58835 Arnegard ND 68/100 66/100
75 58845 Grenora ND 68/100 66/100
76 58054 Lisbon ND 70/100 40/100
77 58249 Langdon ND 70/100 69/100
78 58367 Rolla ND 70/100 66/100
79 58421 Carrington ND 70/100 48/100
80 58455 Kensal ND 70/100 54/100
81 58533 Elgin ND 70/100 62/100
82 58576 Underwood ND 70/100 70/100
83 58579 Wilton ND 70/100 46/100
84 58004 Amenia ND 73/100 68/100
85 58027 Enderlin ND 73/100 70/100
86 58077 Walcott ND 73/100 70/100
87 58231 Fordville ND 73/100 66/100
88 58262 Mountain ND 73/100 69/100
89 58282 Walhalla ND 73/100 70/100
90 58301 Devils Lake ND 73/100 55/100
91 58380 Tolna ND 73/100 63/100
92 58418 Bowdon ND 73/100 53/100
93 58429 Dazey ND 73/100 69/100
94 58448 Hannaford ND 73/100 65/100
95 58501 Bismarck ND 73/100 57/100
96 58503 Bismarck ND 73/100 52/100

Methodology

Water system reliability scores (0-100) combine violation frequency, violation recency, resolution rate, and system size. Systems with repeated health-based violations and unresolved issues score lowest. The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance, distinct from the broader Home Safety Score.

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: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a low water reliability score mean?

A low reliability score (below 50) indicates a water system with frequent violations, poor resolution rates, or recurring compliance issues. These systems may have aging infrastructure, inadequate treatment, or management challenges.

How is reliability different from safety score?

The reliability score focuses specifically on the water utility performance (violations, resolution, compliance). The Home Safety Score is broader, also including lead risk, radon, and flood data. A ZIP code can have a reliable water system but still have high radon or flood risk.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

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Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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