Water System Report MN

Orono

EPA ID: MN1270041 · 3,062 people served · 5 ZIP codes

ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Orono (MN1270041): no EPA violations recorded in the last five years. With a five-year violation-free history, Orono delivers safe water to 3,062 residents.

Data: EPA SDWIS

3,062
People Served
5
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$598K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$129,508
Median Household Income
44,289
Service Area Population
18%
Disadvantaged Population
30th
Poverty Percentile
20th
Energy Burden Percentile
64%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Orono serves a community with a median household income of $129,508 and an estimated 44,289 residents across its service area. Approximately 64% 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

Orono'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
80th
Superfund Site Proximity

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 80th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

50 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
20 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 71% of expected lifespan used End of life

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.

State limits: PFOA: 0.035 ppt, PFOS: 0.015 ppt, PFBS: 2 ppt, PFHxS: 0.047 ppt
Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

Milaca
3,043 people
2 violations
Staples
3,089 people
0 violations
Proctor
3,099 people
B 3 violations
Empire
3,152 people
0 violations
SE Corcoran
2,964 people
0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,080
PFAS Treatment $100
Total Estimated Cost $2,380

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.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

PFAS Exposure - Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$165
10 years
$330
20 years
$660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,380 (one-time) vs. $330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

Orono (EPA ID: MN1270041) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 3,062 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 5 ZIP codes across 5 communities.

Violation History

No accepted violation records in the 2021-2026 window - The accepted EPA ECHO 2026Q2 snapshot contains zero violation records for this system whose record year falls from 2021 through 2026, inclusive. This is not a tap-water safety guarantee.

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:

Lead Level Exceeds Action Level Sample Date
0 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 1 (High 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: 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 Orono (MN1270041) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Orono water safe to drink?

The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot contains zero violation records for Orono 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 Orono serve?

Orono serves approximately 3,062 people across 5 ZIP codes in Minnesota.

Where does Orono get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a water filter?
Orono meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Orono serve?
Orono serves approximately 3,062 people with drinking water across 5 ZIP codes.
What is Orono's water source?
Orono draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Orono's service area?
The Orono service area has a median household income of $129,508. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Orono get its water?
Orono'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. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (n.d.). Orono Water Quality Report, MN. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1270041/
BibTeX
@misc{zipcheckup-water-system-mn1270041,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Orono Water Quality Report, MN}},
  year   = {n.d.},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1270041/}
}
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