WaterVerge

Is Bedford, WY Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded B-, with 15 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

840 residents served 2 water systems PWSID: WY5600006
Overall Score
73.6 / 100
Violations
15 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#33 of 65 in Wyoming Top 64% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
B-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
73.6/100
waterverge.com
B- 73.6/100

Bedford, WY — Water Quality Report

Bedford's drinking water received a grade of B- (73.6 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 840 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.

The system has 51 violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Bedford's water

Bedford ranks #33 out of 65 cities in Wyoming for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Bedford relies on groundwater, which is generally less vulnerable to surface contamination but can be affected by naturally occurring minerals like arsenic and nitrate, as well as agricultural and industrial runoff.

As a small community water system, Bedford may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
73.6 out of 100 Grade B-
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
26.6/45
D
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
5/10
D
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Bedford, WY water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

Bedford's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B- (73.6/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 840 residents using groundwater (wells).

15
Active Violations
1.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)

Recent water quality updates for Bedford

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Bedford's water quality assessment. Grade: B- (73.6/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Groundwater Rule.

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Bedford's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 1.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Bedford's water system has 51 total violations on record, including 19 health-based violations. 15 remain unresolved. 5 violations were issued in the last 5 years.

MRTTOtherMCL
Most recent violations:
Mar 2025 Chlorine Resolved
Dec 2024 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Aug 2024 Groundwater Rule Open
Aug 2023 Groundwater Rule Open
Oct 2021 Consumer Confidence Rule Open

Where does Bedford's water come from?

Bedford's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 2 water systems serving approximately 840 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Bedford residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Bedford's water.

Request your utility's CCR

Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.

Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
1.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 7% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

51
Total violations
19
Health-based
15
Active / unresolved
Mar 2025
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

51 Total
15 Active
19 Health-based
36 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
28
Ground Water Rule
6
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
6
Consumer Confidence Rule
4
Lead and Copper Rule
2
Dec 2024 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Aug 2024 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Aug 2023 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Oct 2021 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2019 Active
Groundwater Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Jun 2018 Active
Surface Water Treatment Rule
Treatment Technique
Health-Based Health 0
Dec 2011 Active
Groundwater Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2011 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Aug 2010 Active
E. COLI
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Jul 2007 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Oct 2006 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Oct 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2006 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Mar 2025 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Mar 2025
Jan 2018 Resolved
Combined Uranium
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2018 Resolved
Radium-226
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2018 Resolved
Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon and U
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Jan 2018 Resolved
Radium-228
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Showing 20 of 51 violations
Environmental Risk

Drought conditions

D2 — severe drought

Lincoln County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.

14
Weeks at D2+ (current streak)
28.2%
Months in D2+ (last 30y)
14
Weeks at D2+ (last 5y)

Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 1.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 1.0 ppb from 2005 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (1.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
840
Water Systems
2
Source breakdown
Groundwater
1
Ground Water Under Influence
1
Water Source

Where Bedford's water comes from

Groundwater

Bedford's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.

Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil layers, generally requiring less treatment than surface water. However, it can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and minerals.

Agricultural activity, septic systems, and industrial operations near well fields can introduce nitrates, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 840 people through 2 water systems.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Bedford

System Name PWSID Population Source
BEDFORD WATER & SEWER DISTRICT WY5600006 750 GW
TURNERVILLE WATER AND SEWER DISTRICT WY5601115 90 GU
Regional Comparison

How Bedford compares

Full Wyoming rankings →

Bedford's score of 73.6/100 is above the average of 55/100 among major Wyoming cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.

Bedford (this city)
73.6
Cheyenne
30.8
Casper
41.8
Gillette
44.5
Laramie
55.2
Jackson
43.2
Wyoming avg
55
City Profile

About Bedford, WY

Wikipedia →

Bedford is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 465 at the 2020 census.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Bedford, WY tap water safe to drink?

Bedford's water quality earned a grade of B- (73.6/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #33 out of 65 cities tested in Wyoming.

What contaminants are in Bedford's water?

Lead was measured at 1.0 ppb (90th percentile). 51 violations are on record.

How is Bedford's water quality grade calculated?

The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.

Do I need a water filter in Bedford?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Bedford's water come from?

Bedford's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 840 residents.

What health violations has Bedford's water system had?

Bedford has 19 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in March 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 15 violations remain unresolved.

Is Bedford's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Bedford uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 51 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.

How does Bedford's water compare to other cities?

Bedford ranks #33 out of 65 cities in Wyoming (better than 49% of state cities) and #10054 out of 15744 cities nationally (36th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.