Water System Report ND

Southwest Water Authority

EPA ID: ND4501434 · 8,537 people served · 2 ZIP codes

Water monitoring history at Southwest Water Authority shows a clean slate — EPA tracking over the past five years turned up no violations, and 8,537 residents continue to receive fully compliant service.

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

8,537
People Served
2
ZIP Codes Served
0
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0
Contaminants Flagged

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Southwest Water Authority Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary

Service Area Demographics

$81,008
Median Household Income
29,680
Service Area Population
0%
Disadvantaged Population
40th
Poverty Percentile
40th
Energy Burden Percentile
48%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Southwest Water Authority serves a community with a median household income of $81,008 and an estimated 29,680 residents across its service area. Approximately 48% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Southwest Water Authority'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.

Moderate Risk
Source Contamination Risk
60th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
0th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 2% of homes in Stark County, North Dakota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 60th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.

Infrastructure Risk

43 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Copper
Pipe Material
27 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Stable
Decay Status
Installed 61% of expected lifespan used End of life

Comparable Water Systems

Similar-sized systems in North Dakota

City of Wahpeton
7,766 people
C 0 violations
0 violations
City of Devils Lake
7,141 people
D 0 violations
0 violations
City of Valley City
6,585 people
D 3 violations

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

Southwest Water Authority (EPA ID: ND4501434) is a community water system in North Dakota that serves approximately 8,537 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 2 ZIP codes across 1 community.

Violation History

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

Lead & Copper

No Lead and Copper Rule sampling data available for this water system.

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: 1 ZIP code confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 1 additional ZIP inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Southwest Water Authority (ND4501434) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Southwest Water Authority water safe to drink?

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

How many people does Southwest Water Authority serve?

Southwest Water Authority serves approximately 8,537 people across 2 ZIP codes in North Dakota.

Where does Southwest Water Authority get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

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
116

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 →

Lead Service Line Inventory

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

1
Confirmed Lead
0
Galvanized — Replacement Required
2,426
Unknown Material
2,432
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 2023-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 8,537
Reported to North Dakota

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

Should I use a water filter?
Southwest Water Authority meets EPA standards, but a water filter can reduce trace contaminants below detectable levels for added peace of mind.
How many people does Southwest Water Authority serve?
Southwest Water Authority serves approximately 8,537 people with drinking water across 2 ZIP codes.
What is Southwest Water Authority's water source?
Southwest Water Authority draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
What is the demographic profile of Southwest Water Authority's service area?
The Southwest Water Authority service area has a median household income of $81,008. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Southwest Water Authority get its water?
Southwest Water Authority'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. Based on available data, the source contamination risk is moderate.
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