Health Violations Found MN 4 HEALTH VIOLATIONS

Cosmos

EPA ID: MN1470011 · 513 people served · 1 ZIP code

Past issues aside, Cosmos cleared all 4 violations and is compliant today, supplying 513 residents.

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

C · 61
Avg Safety Score
513
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
4
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.005 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
1
Contaminants Flagged
$120K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$65,139
Median Household Income
905
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
84%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Cosmos serves a community with a median household income of $65,139 and an estimated 905 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?

Groundwater

Cosmos'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
50th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
20th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Meeker 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

74 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
0 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 100% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Cosmos compares to EPA limits

Barium 4 mg/L (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 2 mg/L

What This Means For You

Barium at 4 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of 2 mg/L.

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

Brewster
506 people
0 violations
Verndale
506 people
0 violations
Lyle
521 people
D 5 violations
Lafayette
504 people
C 3 violations
Pillager
523 people
B 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Water Filtration $600
Total Estimated Cost $1,800

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.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,500
10 years
$5,000
20 years
$10,000

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $1,800 (one-time) vs. $5,000 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

Cosmos (EPA ID: MN1470011) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 513 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 56228 in Cosmos.

Average Home Safety Score: C (61/100)

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

Violation History

4 health-based violations recorded in the past 5 years. All violations have been resolved.

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Barium Inorganic 4 Yes

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
56228 0.005 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

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Cosmos (MN1470011) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cosmos water safe to drink?

Cosmos has recorded 4 health-based violations in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Cosmos serve?

Cosmos serves approximately 513 people across 1 ZIP code in Minnesota.

Where does Cosmos get its water?

The primary water source is groundwater.

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
(320) 221-4943
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 Cosmos 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.

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 Cosmos 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.

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

0
Confirmed Lead
2
Galvanized — Replacement Required
136
Unknown Material
125
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 2021-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 513
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 →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Cosmos safe to drink?
Cosmos has a C safety grade based on 4 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Cosmos's water?
Detected contaminants include Barium. 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 Cosmos serve?
Cosmos serves approximately 513 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Cosmos's water source?
Cosmos draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Cosmos's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.005 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Cosmos's service area?
The Cosmos service area has a median household income of $65,139. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Cosmos get its water?
Cosmos'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.

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

Cosmos (EPA ID: MN1470011) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

Home Water Systems Minnesota Cosmos

Get safety alerts for Cosmos, Minnesota

Free updates when EPA data changes for this area. No spam.

Unsubscribe anytime. Privacy Policy.

Share This Page

X Facebook
Violations found — check filter options Free tool — no phone call required.