Health Violations Found MN 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Albany

EPA ID: MN1730001 · 2,805 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Over the past five years, Albany 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 2,805 residents.

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

C · 69
Avg Safety Score
2,805
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged
$278K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

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

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$96,778
Median Household Income
10,588
Service Area Population
14%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
53%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Albany serves a community with a median household income of $96,778 and an estimated 10,588 residents across its service area. Approximately 53% 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

Albany'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
30th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
60th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Stearns County, Minnesota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Superfund Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to Superfund (NPL) sites. Groundwater sources near contaminated sites may face elevated risk from industrial chemicals.

Infrastructure Risk

41 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
29 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 59% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Albany compares to EPA limits

Lead 1 mg/L (action level) (EXCEEDS LIMIT)
0 EPA Limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level)
Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults

What This Means For You

Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.

Stage 2 DBP Rule at 1 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.

Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

Cokato
2,792 people
B 0 violations
Caledonia
2,824 people
C 2 violations
Barnesville
2,784 people
0 violations
Granite Falls
2,843 people
0 violations
Kittson Marshall Water
2,752 people
C 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $1,200
Water Filtration $300
Total Estimated Cost $2,700

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.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

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

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,700 (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

Albany (EPA ID: MN1730001) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 2,805 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 2 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (69/100)

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

Violation History

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

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 2, 2025 Stage 2 DBP Rule Monitoring Resolved

Contaminants Detected

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

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Lead Inorganic 1 Yes
Stage 2 DBP Rule Treatment Failure 1 No

Health Risk Details

Lead (EPA limit: 0.015 mg/L (action level))

Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults At-risk groups: infants, children under 6, pregnant women.

Removal methods: reverse osmosis, distillation, certified carbon block filter (NSF/ANSI 53). Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
56307 0.003 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 Albany (MN1730001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Albany water safe to drink?

Albany has recorded 1 health-based violation 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 Albany serve?

Albany serves approximately 2,805 people across 2 ZIP codes in Minnesota.

Where does Albany 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.

Contact information from Albany 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 Albany 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:

1
Confirmed Lead
2
Galvanized — Replacement Required
0
Unknown Material
1,066
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 2025-07-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 2,805
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 Albany safe to drink?
Albany has a C safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Albany's water?
Detected contaminants include Lead, Stage 2 DBP Rule. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 2 contaminants 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 Albany serve?
Albany serves approximately 2,805 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Albany's water source?
Albany draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Albany's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Albany's service area?
The Albany service area has a median household income of $96,778. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Albany get its water?
Albany'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

Albany (EPA ID: MN1730001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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