Minnesota Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in Minnesota, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Saint Paul Park has the highest PFAS in Minnesota at 1,700 ppt (425x the EPA limit). Mn Correctional Facility - Lino Lakes has the highest lead at 64 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in Minnesota
Public water systems in Minnesota with the highest peak PFAS ("forever chemical") reading in EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025). The EPA enforceable limit for PFOA and PFOS is 4 ppt.
| # | Water System | Location | Peak PFAS (ppt) | Compounds | vs 4 ppt limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saint Paul Park | St. Paul Park · 5,427 served | 1,700 | 1 | 425x |
| 2 | Newport | Newport · 4,000 served | 550 | 4 | 138x |
| 3 | Woodbury | Woodbury · 82,643 served | 386 | 7 | 97x |
| 4 | Hastings, Mn | Hastings · 23,222 served | 240 | 5 | 60x |
| 5 | Cottage Grove | Cottage Grove · 39,712 served | 220 | 2 | 55x |
| 6 | South Saint Paul | South St. Paul · 20,664 served | 168 | 6 | 42x |
| 7 | Lake Elmo | Lake Elmo · 10,978 served | 140 | 2 | 35x |
| 8 | Oak Park Heights | Oak Park Heights · 4,776 served | 130 | 5 | 33x |
| 9 | Stillwater | Stillwater · 19,462 served | 118 | 5 | 30x |
| 10 | Oakdale | Oakdale · 28,674 served | 105 | 1 | 26x |
| 11 | Inver Grove Heights | Inver Grove Heights · 34,189 served | 102 | 1 | 26x |
| 12 | North Saint Paul | North St. Paul · 13,134 served | 85.1 | 2 | 21x |
Highest Lead Levels in Minnesota
Community water systems in Minnesota with the highest 90th-percentile lead result under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule. The EPA action level is 15 ppb; there is no safe level of lead for children.
| # | Water System | Location | Lead 90th-pctile (ppb) | vs 15 ppb |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mn Correctional Facility - Lino Lakes | Lino Lakes · 1,300 served | 64 | 4.3x over |
| 2 | Fulda | Fulda · 1,318 served | 35 | 2.3x over |
| 3 | Hibbing | Hibbing · 16,028 served | 32 | 2.1x over |
| 4 | New Brighton | New Brighton · 22,902 served | 28 | 1.9x over |
| 5 | Arlington | Arlington · 2,230 served | 24 | 1.6x over |
| 6 | White Bear Lake | White Bear Lake · 25,634 served | 19.9 | 1.3x over |
| 7 | Osakis | Osakis · 1,780 served | 18 | 1.2x over |
| 8 | Saint Paul Regional Water Services | St. Paul · 392,529 served | 17 | 1.1x over |
| 9 | Barnesville | Barnesville · 2,784 served | 17 | 1.1x over |
| 10 | Waterville | Waterville · 1,868 served | 17 | 1.1x over |
| 11 | Crookston | Crookston · 7,272 served | 17 | 1.1x over |
| 12 | Howard Lake | Howard Lake · 2,180 served | 15 | within |
Most EPA Violations in Minnesota
Community water systems in Minnesota with the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record. A health-based violation means a contaminant exceeded its federal limit or required treatment was not applied.
| # | Water System | Location | Health-based violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Skyline Village Mobile Home Park | Inver Grove Heights · 1,185 served | 18 |
| 2 | Inver Grove Heights | Inver Grove Heights · 34,189 served | 18 |
| 3 | Thief River Falls | Thief River Falls · 8,701 served | 14 |
| 4 | Hinckley | Hinckley · 1,964 served | 8 |
| 5 | Winona | Winona · 27,782 served | 8 |
| 6 | Lexington | Lexington · 2,738 served | 7 |
| 7 | South Saint Paul | South St. Paul · 20,664 served | 5 |
| 8 | Stacy | Stacy · 1,593 served | 4 |
| 9 | The Meadows | Monticello · 1,000 served | 3 |
| 10 | Ely | Ely · 3,258 served | 3 |
| 11 | Lewiston | Lewiston · 1,512 served | 3 |
| 12 | Spring Lake Park | Spring Lake Park · 7,200 served | 2 |
How This Report Card Is Built
PFAS rankings use EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), showing each system's peak detection above the 4 ppt EPA limit. Lead rankings use the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results. Violation counts come from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and count health-based violations. Lead and violation lists are limited to community water systems serving 1,000 or more people. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most PFAS-contaminated water system in Minnesota?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Saint Paul Park in St. Paul Park had the highest recorded PFAS level in Minnesota at 1,700 ppt - about 425x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which Minnesota water system has the highest lead levels?
Mn Correctional Facility - Lino Lakes in Lino Lakes had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in Minnesota under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 64 ppb - 4.3x the 15 ppb action level.
Which Minnesota water system has the most EPA violations?
Skyline Village Mobile Home Park in Inver Grove Heights has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in Minnesota, with 18 violations.
Where does the Minnesota water report card data come from?
PFAS figures come from EPA UCMR5 monitoring (2023-2025), lead from the EPA Lead and Copper Rule 90th-percentile tap results, and violations from EPA SDWIS health-based violation records. Figures are the most severe on record and do not necessarily reflect current treated water. Check your exact address at knowyourexposure.com.
What Minnesota Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full Minnesota water quality overview
- If your system is listed, a certified filter (reverse osmosis for PFAS, NSF-53 for lead) reduces exposure at the tap. See the best water filters.