Minnesota Water Quality Report: 946 Violations Across 1,009 ZIPs
993 water systems · 1,009 ZIP codes · 946 violations · Updated 2026-05-31
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO Last verified: 2026-05-31
City Water Quality Map: Minnesota
Each circle represents a city. Size indicates population, color indicates water quality grade. Tap a circle for details.
Violation Trend
EPA violations across all water systems in Minnesota.
Cities with Most Violations in Minnesota
| # | City | Grade | Violations | Systems | Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monticello | C | 96 | 3 | 16,337 | Details → |
| 2 | Minneapolis | B | 69 | 5 | 435,052 | Details → |
| 3 | Detroit Lakes | D | 34 | 3 | 10,138 | Details → |
| 4 | Lancaster | F | 30 | 2 | 511 | Details → |
| 5 | Fergus Falls | F | 22 | 2 | 14,362 | Details → |
| 6 | Morris | D | 19 | 2 | 5,388 | Details → |
| 7 | Pelican Rapids | D | 19 | 3 | 2,642 | Details → |
| 8 | Lake Lillian | D | 19 | 1 | 236 | Details → |
| 9 | Rochester | C | 18 | 5 | 124,522 | Details → |
| 10 | Bemidji | B | 16 | 5 | 15,582 | Details → |
Most Common Contaminants in Minnesota
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health Risk |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 185 | 141 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 115 | 109 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 102 | 13 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 75 | 63 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 57 | 53 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 55 | 35 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 27 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 23 | 16 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 14 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 9 | 5 | Yes |
Water Quality Overview
Minnesota has 993 community water systems serving approximately 4,564,554 people across 1,009 ZIP codes. These systems have accumulated 946 EPA violations, including 188 health-based violations.
Health-based violations account for 20% of all violations in Minnesota. These violations indicate contaminant levels that may pose direct risks to human health, as opposed to monitoring or reporting failures.
Violation Breakdown
| Violation Type | Count | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Health-based | 188 | 19.9% |
| Monitoring/Reporting | 758 | 80.1% |
| Total | 946 | 100% |
Health-based violations indicate contaminant levels exceeding EPA Maximum Contaminant Levels (MCLs). Monitoring violations indicate failures to test or report — these do not necessarily mean unsafe water, but they mean the water was not properly verified.
Cities with Most Violations
The following cities in Minnesota have the highest number of EPA violations:
| Rank | City | Grade | Violations | Water Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monticello | C | 96 | 3 | 16,337 |
| 2 | Minneapolis | B | 69 | 5 | 435,052 |
| 3 | Detroit Lakes | D | 34 | 3 | 10,138 |
| 4 | Lancaster | F | 30 | 2 | 511 |
| 5 | Fergus Falls | F | 22 | 2 | 14,362 |
| 6 | Morris | D | 19 | 2 | 5,388 |
| 7 | Pelican Rapids | D | 19 | 3 | 2,642 |
| 8 | Lake Lillian | D | 19 | 1 | 236 |
| 9 | Rochester | C | 18 | 5 | 124,522 |
| 10 | Bemidji | B | 16 | 5 | 15,582 |
Violation counts are cumulative across all water systems serving each city. Higher counts may reflect larger systems with more monitoring requirements, not necessarily worse water quality.
Violation Trend Over Time
Year-by-year EPA violations recorded across all water systems in Minnesota:
| Year | Total Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26 | 26 |
| 2022 | 46 | 46 |
| 2023 | 65 | 65 |
| 2024 | 115 | 115 |
| 2025 | 161 | 161 |
Violations have increased from 26 in 2021 to 161 in 2025. This trend warrants monitoring and may reflect expanded testing requirements rather than worsening quality.
Most Common Contaminants
The following contaminants have caused the most violations across Minnesota water systems:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 185 | 141 | Yes |
| Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | Disinfection Byproducts | 115 | 109 | Yes |
| Barium | Inorganic | 102 | 13 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 75 | 63 | No |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 57 | 53 | Yes |
| Lead | Inorganic | 55 | 35 | Yes |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Technique | 36 | 27 | No |
| Gross Beta | Radionuclides | 23 | 16 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Technique | 16 | 14 | No |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 9 | 5 | Yes |
How to Check Your Water in Minnesota
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup for detailed water system data including contaminant levels, violation history, and safety scores
Request your CCR — every water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report
Get a home test — certified kits ($20-$50) or professional lab tests ($150-$400)
Consider filtration — NSF-certified filters can address specific contaminants found in your area
EPA Enforcement
The EPA and state regulators have taken 3,049 enforcement actions against water systems in Minnesota. Enforcement actions range from compliance assistance to formal orders and penalties.
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO
Updated daily.
What are EPA violations?
Health-based violations mean a contaminant was detected above the EPA's Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) — the legal limit designed to protect human health. Minnesota has 188 such violations across its water systems. Not all violations cause illness, but repeated exceedances increase risk, especially for children and immunocompromised individuals.
Understanding water quality grades
ZipCheckup grades water systems from A to F based on EPA violation history, contaminant levels, and system compliance. Grade A means few or no violations; Grade F indicates persistent or serious issues. Grades are calculated per ZIP code and aggregated at the city, county, and state level.
Wondering about your tap water?
Water quality varies by ZIP code. Enter yours to see contaminant data, violations, and filtration recommendations specific to your area.
Check Your ZIP Code Water Quality →Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tap water safe to drink in Minnesota?
Minnesota has 993 community water systems with 946 recorded EPA violations, including 188 health-based. Water quality varies by city and ZIP code — check your specific location for detailed results.
How many water violations does Minnesota have?
Minnesota has 946 total EPA violations across 1,009 ZIP codes. 188 are health-based violations that indicate contaminant levels potentially harmful to human health. The remainder are monitoring or reporting violations.
Which city in Minnesota has the worst water quality?
Monticello, MN has the most EPA violations among major cities in Minnesota with 96 recorded violations. Check individual ZIP codes for the most accurate picture of your local water quality.
Which city in Minnesota has the best water quality?
Several cities in Minnesota maintain excellent EPA compliance. Check individual city reports for details.
What contaminants are found in Minnesota drinking water?
Minnesota water systems are monitored for over 90 EPA-regulated contaminants including lead, copper, nitrates, disinfection byproducts, and bacteria. The most common violations vary by region — check your ZIP code for contaminant-specific data.