Water System Report MN

Rice

EPA ID: MN1050002 · 2,161 people served · 4 ZIP codes

Unlike many utilities its size, Rice carries a violation-free five-year record — no EPA notices, no MCL exceedances, serving 2,161 people.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 65
Avg Safety Score
2,161
People Served
4
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.004 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 2
Radon Risk · Moderate
0
Contaminants Flagged
$267K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Rice Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$94,875
Median Household Income
11,146
Service Area Population
10%
Disadvantaged Population
48th
Poverty Percentile
48th
Energy Burden Percentile
47%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Rice serves a community with a median household income of $94,875 and an estimated 11,146 residents across its service area. Approximately 47% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Groundwater

Rice's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
53th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Benton County, Minnesota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Infrastructure Risk

44 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
26 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

Aitkin
2,165 people
B 0 violations
Tracy
2,154 people
B 0 violations
Maple Plain
2,174 people
C 0 violations
Howard Lake
2,180 people
F 1 violation
Clearwater
2,129 people
D 4 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Flood Insurance Radon Mitigation
Flood Insurance $600
Radon Mitigation $400
Total Estimated Cost $1,000

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

System Overview

Rice (EPA ID: MN1050002) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 2,161 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 4 ZIP codes across 4 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (65/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
56373 0.004 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 2 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 2 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Rice (MN1050002) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rice water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Rice has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Rice serve?

Rice serves approximately 2,161 people across 4 ZIP codes in Minnesota.

Where does Rice get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

0
Confirmed Lead
1
Galvanized — Replacement Required
207
Unknown Material
598
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,161
Reported to Minnesota

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Rice safe to drink?
Rice has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Rice meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Rice serve?
Rice serves approximately 2,161 people with drinking water across 4 ZIP codes.
What is Rice's water source?
Rice draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Rice's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.004 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Rice's service area?
The Rice service area has a median household income of $94,875. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Rice get its water?
Rice's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Rice (EPA ID: MN1050002) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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