North Dakota Water Report Card: Worst Water Systems
The most contaminated public water systems in North Dakota, ranked by PFAS levels, lead, and EPA violations from official EPA data.
Quick Answer
Grand Forks Regional Wtp has the highest PFAS in North Dakota at 10.4 ppt (3x the EPA limit). Lisbon City Of has the highest lead at 26 ppb. The tables below rank the worst systems in each category so you can see how your water compares.
Highest PFAS Levels in North Dakota
Public water systems in North Dakota 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 | Grand Forks Regional Wtp | Grand Forks · 57,339 served | 10.4 | 1 | 3x |
| 2 | Cass Rural Water District Fargo | Kindred · 4,242 served | 7.3 | 1 | 2x |
| 3 | Central Plains Water District | Fessenden · 3,504 served | 7.1 | 1 | 2x |
| 4 | Northwest Rural Water District, Nd | Williston · 5,102 served | 6.3 | 1 | 2x |
| 5 | South Central Regional Water District | Bismarck · 3,700 served | 5.9 | 1 | 1x |
Highest Lead Levels in North Dakota
Community water systems in North Dakota 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 | Lisbon City Of | Lisbon · 2,154 served | 26 | 1.7x over |
| 2 | Cando City Of | Cando · 1,115 served | 15.2 | 1.0x over |
| 3 | Carrington City Of | Carrington · 2,065 served | 13.9 | within |
| 4 | Bismarck City Of | Bismarck · 72,417 served | 13.8 | within |
| 5 | Minot City Of | Minot · 48,743 served | 13.5 | within |
| 6 | Oakes City Of | Oakes · 1,856 served | 13.1 | within |
| 7 | Jamestown City Of | Jamestown · 15,427 served | 12.9 | within |
| 8 | Mayville City Of | Mayville · 1,858 served | 12.9 | within |
| 9 | Casselton City Of | Casselton · 2,513 served | 12.1 | within |
| 10 | Velva City Of | Velva · 1,084 served | 11.7 | within |
| 11 | Grafton City Of | Grafton · 4,284 served | 11.4 | within |
| 12 | Rugby City Of | Rugby · 2,876 served | 11.2 | within |
Most EPA Violations in North Dakota
Community water systems in North Dakota 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 | Lincoln City Of | Lincoln · 4,257 served | 2 |
| 2 | Fargo City Of | Fargo · 120,762 served | 2 |
| 3 | Ellendale City Of | Ellendale · 1,394 served | 1 |
| 4 | Alexander City Of | Alexander · 1,335 served | 1 |
| 5 | Bottineau City Of | Bottineau · 2,211 served | 1 |
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 North Dakota?
In EPA UCMR5 testing (2023-2025), Grand Forks Regional Wtp in Grand Forks had the highest recorded PFAS level in North Dakota at 10.4 ppt - about 3x the EPA's 4 ppt limit for PFOA and PFOS.
Which North Dakota water system has the highest lead levels?
Lisbon City Of in Lisbon had the highest 90th-percentile lead result in North Dakota under the EPA Lead and Copper Rule at 26 ppb - 1.7x the 15 ppb action level.
Which North Dakota water system has the most EPA violations?
Lincoln City Of in Lincoln has the most health-based EPA Safe Drinking Water Act violations on record in North Dakota, with 2 violations.
Where does the North Dakota 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 North Dakota Residents Should Do
- Look up your exact address at knowyourexposure.com for your system's data
- See the full North Dakota 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.