01The verdict: is Casselton water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, Casselton's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A- (86.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,513 residents using groundwater (wells).
Nothing over a legal limit
Every contaminant measured in Casselton's water is within its EPA limit, and no violations are unresolved.
See the testing ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓Lead is approaching its limit
Measured at 12.1 ppb — 81% of the 15 ppb limit. Within the rules, but with less headroom than you'd want.
See the ledger ↓Casselton's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,513 residents using purchased ground water.
Lead levels were measured at 12.1 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
Casselton ranks #54 out of 101 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Casselton purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Casselton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Casselton's water
Every contaminant flagged in Casselton, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Near Limit — EPA Action Level: 15 ppb
Within EPA limits but above the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended level of 1 ppb — no lead level is considered safe for children. An NSF 53-certified filter provides additional protection, and running the cold tap 30 seconds after stagnation reduces exposure.Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 12.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Near Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in North Dakota
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in North Dakota
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Casselton's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Casselton.
▼ Down 7.5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 12 ppb (2024) — 81% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Casselton's water comes from
Casselton purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Purchased Groundwater
Water is bought from a regional wholesaler; quality starts at the supplier's intake and treatment.
Wholesale supplier
Primary treatment happens at the wholesaler; the local utility maintains disinfectant residual in its pipes.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
2,513 people
Residents served across Casselton's service area.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Casselton's local distribution pipes and storage facilities. Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 2,513 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| CASSELTON CITY OF | ND0900166 | 2,513 | Purchased Groundwater |
Water bodies near Casselton
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Casselton's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Cass County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Casselton compares
Scores for nearby North Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Dakota average (82/100)
Casselton scores 86.9/100 — on par with the North Dakota average of 82/100. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities. Full North Dakota rankings →
91.5 / 100ABismarck, ND
85.7 / 100BMinot, ND
83.2 / 100AGrand Forks, ND
91.3 / 100ADickinson, ND
93 / 100AWest Fargo, ND
92.2 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Casselton's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 12.1 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Casselton alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Casselton, ND tap water safe to drink?
Casselton's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #54 out of 101 cities tested in North Dakota.
What contaminants are in Casselton's water?
Lead was measured at 12.1 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.
How is Casselton'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 Casselton?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Casselton's water come from?
Casselton's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,513 residents.
Is Casselton's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Casselton 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 3 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 Casselton's water compare to other cities?
Casselton ranks #54 out of 101 cities in North Dakota (better than 47% of state cities) and #4348 out of 15382 cities nationally (72th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Casselton's small water system affect quality?
Casselton's system serves approximately 2,513 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 3 violations on record.