Albert Lea
EPA ID: MN1240001 · 18,492 people served · 3 ZIP codes
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA records for Albert Lea (MN1240001): no drinking-water violations recorded since 2021. With no violations in its EPA file, Albert Lea serves 18,492 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Albert Lea Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Demographics of ZIP Codes Served
The ZIP codes associated with Albert Lea have a median household income of $70,862 and about 24,224 residents live in those ZIP codes (Census; not the number of people this system supplies). Approximately 79% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Albert Lea's water is classified in EPA records as a groundwater source. 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.
Infrastructure Risk
Comparable Water Systems
Similar-sized systems in Minnesota
System Overview
Albert Lea (EPA ID: MN1240001) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 18,492 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.
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 | 2025-12-31 |
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
3 of 3 ZIP records with known zones are in EPA Radon Zone 1.
The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.
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 available EPA compliance records for Albert Lea (MN1240001) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Albert Lea water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Albert Lea 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 Albert Lea serve?
Albert Lea serves approximately 18,492 people across 3 ZIP codes in Minnesota.
Where does Albert Lea get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: No PFAS Reported Above Reporting Levels
This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were reported above UCMR5 minimum reporting levels.
EPA's April 2024 PFAS rule sets MCLs of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS and 10 ppt for PFHxS, PFNA and HFPO-DA (GenX); water systems must comply from 2029. Other PFAS compounds have no individual federal MCL. A state standard is shown only where this system's state has its own enforceable PFAS limit. Detection results are EPA UCMR5 samples, not a measurement at your tap.
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.). Albert Lea, MN: Serves 18K People. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1240001/
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url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1240001/}
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