01The verdict: is Finley water safe?
Finley's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (84.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,580 residents using groundwater (wells).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 1.54 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 4.7 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Finley's drinking water received a grade of B+ (84.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 1,580 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 4.7 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 4 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
Finley ranks #69 out of 101 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it below average in the state. Finley 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, Finley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Finley's water
Every contaminant flagged in Finley, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 4.7 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 1.54 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over 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
03Finley'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 4 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 2 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Finley.
▼ Down 3.5 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 0 ppb (2024) — 0% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 0 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (1.5 mg/L, 1994) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Finley's water comes from
Finley's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under private ownership.
1,580 people
Residents served across Finley's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 1,580 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| DAKOTA RURAL WATER DISTRICT SOUTH | ND2001121 | 1,135 | Groundwater |
| FINLEY CITY OF | ND4600341 | 445 | Purchased Groundwater |
05Pressure on Finley'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.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Steele County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Finley compares
Scores for nearby North Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Dakota average (82/100)
Finley scores 84.6/100 — on par with the North Dakota average of 82/100. It outscores 5 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 Finley's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
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 Finley 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 Finley, ND tap water safe to drink?
Finley's water quality earned a grade of B+ (84.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #69 out of 101 cities tested in North Dakota.
What contaminants are in Finley's water?
Lead was measured at 4.7 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Finley'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 Finley?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Finley's water come from?
Finley's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 1,580 residents.
What health violations has Finley's water system had?
Finley has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2009. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
Is Finley's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Finley 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 4 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 Finley's water compare to other cities?
Finley ranks #69 out of 101 cities in North Dakota (better than 32% of state cities) and #5745 out of 15382 cities nationally (63th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.