Water System Report MN

Browns Valley

EPA ID: MN1780001 · 566 people served · 1 ZIP code

Federal monitoring spanning five full years has produced zero violations at Browns Valley — a clean record across every reporting cycle for a utility serving approximately 566 residents.

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

D · 45
Avg Safety Score
566
People Served
1
ZIP Code Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Groundwater
Water Source
0.011 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
0
Contaminants Flagged
$169K
Median Home Value in Service Area

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Browns Valley Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade D

Service Area Demographics

$66,429
Median Household Income
901
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
50th
Poverty Percentile
80th
Energy Burden Percentile
70%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Browns Valley serves a community with a median household income of $66,429 and an estimated 901 residents across its service area. Approximately 70% 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

Browns Valley'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
40th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Traverse 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

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in Minnesota

Glenville
566 people
0 violations
Fayal Township
565 people
0 violations
Ranier
565 people
B 0 violations
Stephen
568 people
0 violations
Audubon
570 people
C 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 $1,200
Total Estimated Cost $2,400

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

Browns Valley (EPA ID: MN1780001) is a community water system in Minnesota that serves approximately 566 people from groundwater sources.

This system serves ZIP code 56219 in Browns Valley.

Average Home Safety Score: D (45/100)

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
56219 0.011 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

  • 56219 — Browns Valley

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Browns Valley (MN1780001) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Browns Valley water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Browns Valley serve?

Browns Valley serves approximately 566 people across 1 ZIP code in Minnesota.

Where does Browns Valley 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) 695-2110
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 Browns Valley 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 Browns Valley 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.

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
PFOS
Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
1.2 ppt 4 ppt Below EPA limit
PFHxS
Perfluorohexanesulfonic acid
EPA-regulated (2024 NPDWR)
0.68 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 ppt No federal limit set
PFBA
Not yet EPA-regulated
1.3 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 Browns Valley.

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:

0
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
421
Unknown Material
0
Confirmed Non-Lead

This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.

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: 566
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 Browns Valley safe to drink?
Browns Valley has a D safety grade based on 0 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
Should I use a water filter?
Browns Valley meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Browns Valley serve?
Browns Valley serves approximately 566 people with drinking water across 1 ZIP code.
What is Browns Valley's water source?
Browns Valley draws water from groundwater sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Browns Valley's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.011 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Browns Valley's service area?
The Browns Valley service area has a median household income of $66,429. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Browns Valley get its water?
Browns Valley'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

Browns Valley (EPA ID: MN1780001) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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