The Cove Utility Association
EPA ID: MN1050010 · 97 people served · 1 ZIP code
Five years of EPA monitoring have produced no violations for The Cove Utility Association — the supplier serving 97 residents has kept every contaminant level within federal limits, a result that places it among the top-performing utilities for systems with a service population of comparable size.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Service Area Map
Coverage area for The Cove Utility Association Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The The Cove Utility Association serves a community with a median household income of $71,964 and an estimated 17,300 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?
The Cove Utility Association'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.
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.
Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.
Infrastructure Risk
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 8 detections recorded. 3 exceed federal EPA limits (4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS).
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Minnesota
Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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
The Cove Utility Association (EPA ID: MN1050010) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 97 people from groundwater sources.
This system serves ZIP code 56379 in Sauk Rapids.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.
Need help with your water quality?
Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400
Find the Right Water FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
- 56379 — Sauk Rapids
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for The Cove Utility Association (MN1050010) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Cove Utility Association water safe to drink?
Based on EPA records, The Cove Utility Association has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.
How many people does The Cove Utility Association serve?
The Cove Utility Association serves approximately 97 people across 1 ZIP code in Minnesota.
Where does The Cove Utility Association 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:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.