Thief River Falls
EPA ID: MN1570003 · 8,701 people served · 1 ZIP code
ZipCheckup's reading of EPA SDWIS for Thief River Falls (MN1570003): 1 past health-based violation, since resolved. Over the past five years, Thief River Falls recorded 2 violations, all subsequently resolved through the EPA enforcement process - the supplier currently operates in good standing, with no active actions on file for its 8,701 residents.
Data: EPA SDWIS
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Thief River Falls Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary
Service Area Demographics
The Thief River Falls serves a community with a median household income of $73,243 and an estimated 12,814 residents across its service area. Approximately 68% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Thief River Falls'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.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Thief River Falls compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Fecal Coliform at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
PFAS Detected in Service Area
PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 1 detection recorded.
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
Thief River Falls (EPA ID: MN1570003) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 8,701 people from surface water sources.
This system serves ZIP code 56701 in Thief River Falls.
Violation History
Status breakdown for accepted records with record years 2021-2026: 1 resolved, 1 archived, 0 addressed, and 0 unaddressed. Under this source contract, current noncompliance is the sum of addressed and unaddressed records. Archived and resolved records are excluded from current noncompliance.
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2025 | Fecal Coliform | Health-based | Archived |
| January 1, 2021 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Non-health-based | Resolved |
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 |
| Fecal Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | Yes |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule evidence attributed directly to this water system:
| Lead Level | Exceeds Action Level | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|
| 0.007 mg/L | No | N/A |
No copper action-level exceedance record appears for this PWSID in the accepted LCR snapshot. This does not establish a clean copper measurement.
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 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.
- 56701 - Thief River Falls
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Thief River Falls (MN1570003) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Thief River Falls water safe to drink?
The accepted 2026Q2 ECHO snapshot shows no current noncompliance for Thief River Falls; its 2 accepted 2021-2026 records are resolved or archived. Historical compliance status does not establish conditions at a specific tap.
How many people does Thief River Falls serve?
Thief River Falls serves approximately 8,701 people across 1 ZIP code in Minnesota.
Where does Thief River Falls get its water?
The primary water source is surface water.
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.
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.). Thief River Falls (MN): 1 Health Violation. https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1570003/
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title = {{Thief River Falls (MN): 1 Health Violation}},
year = {n.d.},
url = {https://zipcheckup.com/water-system/mn1570003/}
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What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Thief River Falls (EPA ID: MN1570003) - request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.