Brainerd
EPA ID: MN1180002 · 14,670 people served · 2 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Brainerd (MN1180002): no EPA violations recorded in the last five years. Five years of EPA monitoring have produced no violations for Brainerd - the supplier serving 14,670 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
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Brainerd Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary - Grade B
Service Area Demographics
The Brainerd serves a community with a median household income of $70,782 and an estimated 40,478 residents across its service area. Approximately 42% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Brainerd'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.
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
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
Brainerd (EPA ID: MN1180002) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 14,670 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.
ZIP-Area Home Safety Context: B (83/100)
This is the average Home Safety Score for 1 of 2 service-area ZIP codes with all required score domains observed. It is not a grade for the water utility.
Model 4.0.0 uses SDWIS identity plus accepted ECHO SDWA lifecycle-based water compliance, the UCMR 5 PFAS MCL screen, EPA radon zone, and annual EPA AirData AQI across three equally weighted domains. Missing required evidence suppresses the score.
Violation History
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.002 mg/L | No | N/A |
The accepted LCR snapshot contains 1 reported copper action-level exceedance record for this PWSID. The source does not provide a verified copper level for publication.
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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by MN or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Brainerd (MN1180002) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Brainerd water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Brainerd in the inclusive 2021-2026 record-year window. This is a compliance-record finding, not a guarantee about water at a specific tap.
How many people does Brainerd serve?
Brainerd serves approximately 14,670 people across 2 ZIP codes in Minnesota.
Where does Brainerd get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.
Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.
Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →
How Water Systems Appear in Rankings
Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to cite this page
ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Brainerd, MN: Serves 15K People. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1180002/
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-mn1180002,
author = {{ZipCheckup}},
title = {{Brainerd, MN: Serves 15K People}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1180002/}
}