Central Plains Water District
EPA ID: ND5201309 · 3,504 people served · 19 ZIP codes
Central Plains Water District shows 10 open EPA violations in current federal records for approximately 3,504 people.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 3 (2022) to 1 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Central Plains Water District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Central Plains Water District serves a community with a median household income of $66,172 and an estimated 17,918 residents across its service area. Approximately 80% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Central Plains Water District'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.
About 1% of homes in Benson County, North Dakota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Central Plains Water District compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 10 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Consumer Confidence Report Rule at 8 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 1 DBP Rule at 7 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Stage 2 DBP Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
Surface Water Treatment Rule at 2 mg/L exceeds the EPA maximum of mg/L.
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 North Dakota
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
Central Plains Water District (EPA ID: ND5201309) is a community water system in North Dakota that serves approximately 3,504 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 19 ZIP codes across 19 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (55/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 23, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| September 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 28, 2025 | Total Coliform | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2025 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| July 1, 2025 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| March 12, 2025 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| November 17, 2024 | Lead and Copper Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| November 13, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Health-based | Resolved |
| October 17, 2024 | Stage 2 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 2, 2024 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2024 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| July 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| April 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| January 1, 2024 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| October 25, 2023 | Stage 1 DBP Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 2, 2023 | Surface Water Treatment Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
| October 1, 2023 | Revised Total Coliform Rule | Monitoring | Unresolved |
| August 1, 2023 | Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Monitoring | Resolved |
Contaminants Detected
The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | Health-Based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 10 | No |
| Consumer Confidence Report Rule | Reporting Failure | 8 | Yes |
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 7 | Yes |
| Stage 2 DBP Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | Yes |
| Surface Water Treatment Rule | Treatment Failure | 2 | No |
| Total Coliform | Microbiological | 1 | No |
| Lead and Copper Rule | Treatment Failure | 1 | No |
Lead & Copper
EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:
| ZIP Code | Lead Level | Exceeds Limit | Sample Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58422 | 0.0102 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 58418 | 0.0087 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 58368 | 0.00228 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 58346 | 0.00224 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 58438 | 0.0015 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 58351 | 0.0013 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 58357 | 0.00059 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 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 ND or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 58332 — Esmond
- 58335 — Fort Totten
- 58341 — Harvey
- 58346 — Leeds
- 58348 — Maddock
- 58351 — Minnewaukan
- 58356 — New Rockford
- 58357 — Oberon
- 58368 — Rugby
- 58370 — Saint Michael
- 58374 — Sheyenne
- 58381 — Warwick
- 58386 — York
- 58418 — Bowdon
- 58421 — Carrington
- 58422 — Cathay
- 58438 — Fessenden
- 58451 — Hurdsfield
- 58486 — Sykeston
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Central Plains Water District (ND5201309) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Central Plains Water District water safe to drink?
Central Plains Water District has recorded 2 health-based violations 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 Central Plains Water District serve?
Central Plains Water District serves approximately 3,504 people across 19 ZIP codes in North Dakota.
Where does Central Plains Water District get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
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.
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.
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
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
Central Plains Water District (EPA ID: ND5201309) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.