Monitoring Violations MN

Fairmont

EPA ID: MN1460003 · 10,328 people served · 1 ZIP code

Water monitoring history for Fairmont includes 1 violation, each addressed and closed — the system holds no active EPA enforcement today for its 10,328 residents.

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

C · 66
Avg Safety Score
10,328
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
1
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.001 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$176K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$61,373
Median Household Income
11,800
Service Area Population
17%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
50th
Energy Burden Percentile
84%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Fairmont serves a community with a median household income of $61,373 and an estimated 11,800 residents across its service area. Approximately 84% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Fairmont's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
10th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Martin 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

59 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
6 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 91% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Fairmont compares to EPA limits

What This Means For You

Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

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

Victoria
10,546 people
D 2 violations
Detroit Lakes
10,038 people
D 17 violations
Cambridge
9,862 people
B 0 violations
Lake Elmo
10,978 people
C 1 violation
Saint Anthony Village
9,500 people
C 0 violations

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
PFAS Treatment $500
Total Estimated Cost $1,700

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:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,700 (one-time) vs. $5,330 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

Fairmont (EPA ID: MN1460003) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 10,328 people from surface water sources.

This system serves ZIP code 56031 in Fairmont.

Average Home Safety Score: C (66/100)

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

Violation History

1 monitoring/reporting violation recorded. These are procedural violations (missed tests or late reports), not necessarily water safety issues.

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Stage 1 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
56031 0.001 mg/L No N/A

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 Fairmont (MN1460003) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fairmont water safe to drink?

Fairmont has only monitoring/reporting violations, which are procedural in nature. The system meets federal health-based standards.

How many people does Fairmont serve?

Fairmont serves approximately 10,328 people across 1 ZIP code in Minnesota.

Where does Fairmont get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
(507) 235-6789
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Contact information from Fairmont Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Surface water
Drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinefluoride

Source: Fairmont Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Minimal — disinfection only
Disinfection (typically chlorine) without additional filtration or coagulation stages. Common for groundwater systems where source water meets federal standards after disinfection alone.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Fairmont Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Detected

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). PFAS compounds were detected below the current state-enforceable MCL.

Samples collected
116
Detections
3
Latest sample
4/3/2024
Highest analyte
PFBA: 7.5 ppt
Analyte Max detected Current MCL Status
PFBA 7.5 ppt

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 →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

PFAS Substances Detected in This System

This water system's Consumer Confidence Report disclosed the following PFAS compounds. Levels are from the utility's most recent reporting cycle.

Substance Detected level EPA limit Status
Perfluorooctanesulfonate
Not yet EPA-regulated
4 ppt No federal limit set
Perfluorooctanoic acid
Not yet EPA-regulated
4 ppt No federal limit set
Perfluorobutanesulfonate
Not yet EPA-regulated
1.08 ppt No federal limit set
Perfluorobutanoic acid
Not yet EPA-regulated
5.49 ppt No federal limit set
Perfluoroheptanoic acid
Not yet EPA-regulated
0.91 ppt No federal limit set
Perfluorohexanesulfonate
Not yet EPA-regulated
0.42 ppt No federal limit set
Perfluorohexanoic acid
Not yet EPA-regulated
1.35 ppt No federal limit set

In April 2024, EPA finalized the first National Primary Drinking Water Regulation for six PFAS. Public water systems have until 2029 to comply. EPA — PFAS regulation overview →

Source: Consumer Confidence Report disclosed by Fairmont.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. PFAS detection data is sourced from public Consumer Confidence Reports filed by the utility itself.

Learn more about PFAS health effects and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

287
Confirmed Lead
218
Galvanized — Replacement Required
1,101
Unknown Material
3,045
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 2022-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 10,328
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 →

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

Is water from Fairmont safe to drink?
Fairmont has a C safety grade based on 1 recorded violation. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Fairmont's water?
Detected contaminants include Stage 1 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Fairmont serve?
Fairmont serves approximately 10,328 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Fairmont's water source?
Fairmont draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Fairmont's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.001 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Fairmont's service area?
The Fairmont service area has a median household income of $61,373. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Fairmont get its water?
Fairmont's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.

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

Fairmont (EPA ID: MN1460003) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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