Water System Report MN

Sauk Centre

EPA ID: MN1730037 · 4,573 people served · 3 ZIP codes

Federal monitoring spanning five full years has produced zero violations at Sauk Centre — a clean record across every reporting cycle for a utility serving approximately 4,573 residents.

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

C · 59
Avg Safety Score
4,573
People Served
3
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.004 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$217K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Sauk Centre Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$71,071
Median Household Income
10,896
Service Area Population
9%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
53th
Energy Burden Percentile
71%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sauk Centre serves a community with a median household income of $71,071 and an estimated 10,896 residents across its service area. Approximately 71% 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

Sauk Centre'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.

Low Risk
Source Contamination Risk
20th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
43th
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.

Infrastructure Risk

63 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Galvanized Steel or Copper
Pipe Material
7 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 90% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

Wayzata
4,592 people
C 0 violations
Watertown
4,550 people
B 1 violation
Windom
4,646 people
C 1 violation
Wadena
4,332 people
C 0 violations
Park Rapids
4,298 people
D 1 violation

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $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.

System Overview

Sauk Centre (EPA ID: MN1730037) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 4,573 people from groundwater sources.

This system provides water to 3 ZIP codes across 3 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (59/100)

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

Violation History

No violations recorded — This water system has no recorded EPA violations in the past 5 years.

Lead & Copper

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

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
56316 0.004 mg/L No N/A
56378 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 Sauk Centre (MN1730037) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sauk Centre water safe to drink?

Based on EPA records, Sauk Centre has no recorded violations in the past 5 years — a positive indicator of water quality management.

How many people does Sauk Centre serve?

Sauk Centre serves approximately 4,573 people across 3 ZIP codes in Minnesota.

Where does Sauk Centre 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
320-352-6538
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 Sauk Centre 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 Sauk Centre 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: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
29

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
PFOA
Perfluorooctanoic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
0.61 ppt 4 ppt Below EPA limit
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
0.77 ppt 4 ppt Below EPA limit
PFHxS
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
0.75 ppt 10 ppt Below EPA limit
PFBS
Perfluorobutanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
Component of EPA Hazard Index — combined exposure assessed against unitless threshold of 1.0.
1.5 ppt No federal limit set
PFBA
Not yet EPA-regulated
4.9 ppt No federal limit set
PFPeA
Not yet EPA-regulated
0.57 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 Sauk Centre.

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:

6
Confirmed Lead
168
Galvanized — Replacement Required
163
Unknown Material
1,613
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: 4,573
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 Sauk Centre safe to drink?
Sauk Centre has a C safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Sauk Centre meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Sauk Centre serve?
Sauk Centre serves approximately 4,573 people with drinking water across 3 ZIP codes.
What is Sauk Centre's water source?
Sauk Centre draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Sauk Centre's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.004 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Sauk Centre's service area?
The Sauk Centre service area has a median household income of $71,071. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Sauk Centre get its water?
Sauk Centre'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.

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

Sauk Centre (EPA ID: MN1730037) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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