2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: North Dakota — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: July 19, 2026

392 ZIP codes ranked by Pipe Failure Risk #1: ZIP 58074 (Wahpeton, ND) - 73%

Out of 392 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in North Dakota, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 392
Highest risk 73%
Median risk 45%
Average risk 45%
State North Dakota

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Pipe Failure Risk Risk Level Safety Score
1 58074 Wahpeton ND 73% Very High 66/100
2 58362 Penn ND 70% Very High 53/100
3 58062 Nome ND 68% Very High 66/100
4 58795 Wildrose ND 68% Very High 66/100
5 58343 Knox ND 66% Very High 40/100
6 58065 Pillsbury ND 64% Very High 40/100
7 58727 Columbus ND 63% Very High 66/100
8 58029 Erie ND 62% Very High 40/100
9 58460 Lehr ND 62% Very High 66/100
10 58721 Bowbells ND 62% Very High 66/100
11 58382 Webster ND 61% Very High 53/100
12 58464 Mchenry ND 61% Very High 53/100
13 58480 Sanborn ND 61% Very High 66/100
14 58006 Arthur ND 60% High 50/100
15 58031 Fingal ND 60% High 40/100
16 58332 Esmond ND 60% High 53/100
17 58384 Willow City ND 60% High 55/100
18 58711 Antler ND 60% High 40/100
19 58230 Finley ND 59% High 66/100
20 58235 Gilby ND 59% High 68/100
21 58259 Michigan ND 59% High 70/100
22 58310 Agate ND 59% High 53/100
23 58341 Harvey ND 59% High 46/100
24 58440 Fredonia ND 59% High 40/100
25 58488 Tuttle ND 59% High 50/100
26 58643 Marmarth ND 59% High 66/100
27 58058 Mantador ND 58% High 66/100
28 58254 Mcville ND 58% High 70/100
29 58324 Cando ND 58% High 57/100
30 58386 York ND 58% High 40/100
31 58438 Fessenden ND 58% High 70/100
32 58475 Pettibone ND 58% High 40/100
33 58750 Lansford ND 58% High 66/100
34 58760 Maxbass ND 58% High 11/100
35 58833 Ambrose ND 58% High 40/100
36 58081 Wyndmere ND 57% High 65/100
37 58241 Hensel ND 57% High 53/100
38 58325 Churchs Ferry ND 57% High 35/100
39 58346 Leeds ND 57% High 70/100
40 58405 Jamestown ND 57% High 56/100
41 58443 Glenfield ND 57% High 70/100
42 58481 Spiritwood ND 57% High 53/100
43 58649 Reeder ND 57% High 55/100
44 58736 Drake ND 57% High 48/100
45 58737 Flaxton ND 57% High 67/100
46 58758 Martin ND 57% High 40/100
47 58064 Page ND 56% High 66/100
48 58331 Egeland ND 56% High 40/100
49 58345 Lawton ND 56% High 40/100
50 58348 Maddock ND 56% High 66/100
51 58361 Pekin ND 56% High 53/100
52 58425 Cooperstown ND 56% High 70/100
53 58426 Courtenay ND 56% High 40/100
54 58456 Kulm ND 56% High 88/100
55 58631 Glen Ullin ND 56% High 62/100
56 58646 Mott ND 56% High 52/100
57 58043 Havana ND 55% High 40/100
58 58067 Rutland ND 55% High 66/100
59 58219 Caledonia ND 55% High 53/100
60 58227 Edinburg ND 55% High 53/100
61 58237 Grafton ND 55% High 43/100
62 58330 Edmore ND 55% High 70/100
63 58377 Starkweather ND 55% High 45/100
64 58420 Buchanan ND 55% High 40/100
65 58442 Gackle ND 55% High 70/100
66 58467 Medina ND 55% High 70/100
67 58535 Flasher ND 55% High 70/100
68 58712 Balfour ND 55% High 40/100
69 58761 Mohall ND 55% High 57/100
70 58009 Blanchard ND 54% High 40/100
71 58016 Clifford ND 54% High 40/100
72 58223 Cummings ND 54% High 53/100
73 58272 Petersburg ND 54% High 66/100
74 58321 Brocket ND 54% High 40/100
75 58461 Litchville ND 54% High 66/100
76 58529 Carson ND 54% High 69/100
77 58577 Washburn ND 54% High 57/100
78 58710 Anamoose ND 54% High 40/100
79 58762 Newburg ND 54% High 40/100
80 58773 Powers Lake ND 54% High 66/100
81 58776 Ross ND 54% High 59/100
82 58277 Sharon ND 53% High 62/100
83 58338 Hampden ND 53% High 40/100
84 58401 Jamestown ND 53% High 53/100
85 58549 Kintyre ND 53% High 40/100
86 58639 Hettinger ND 53% High 62/100
87 58653 Scranton ND 53% High 55/100
88 58723 Butte ND 53% High 40/100
89 58772 Portal ND 53% High 66/100
90 58789 Upham ND 53% High 66/100
91 58830 Alamo ND 53% High 40/100
92 58236 Glasston ND 52% High 40/100
93 58243 Hoople ND 52% High 53/100
94 58258 Mekinock ND 52% High 53/100
95 58270 Park River ND 52% High 62/100
96 58422 Cathay ND 52% High 47/100
97 58424 Cleveland ND 52% High 70/100
98 58482 Steele ND 52% High 55/100
99 58571 Stanton ND 52% High 66/100
100 58652 Richardton ND 52% High 62/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-07-19.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Explore More Rankings

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


Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
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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