01The verdict: is Fulda water safe?
Fulda's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B- (74.4/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,318 residents using groundwater (wells).
Lead is over its legal limit
Measured at 35.0 ppb against the EPA Action Level of 15 ppb. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓1K people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓A flood-prone service area
8 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Fulda's drinking water received a grade of B- (74.4 out of 100), indicating fair water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,318 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 35.0 ppb (90th percentile), which exceeds the EPA action level of 15 ppb. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 7 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
Fulda ranks #431 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. Fulda 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. Lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb, which typically indicates aging lead service lines or lead solder in the distribution system. An NSF 53-certified filter is strongly recommended for drinking and cooking water. As a small community water system, Fulda may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Fulda's water
Every contaminant flagged in Fulda, 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: 15 ppb
Exceeds the EPA action level. Lead enters at the service line, not the treatment plant — your address matters more than the city average. Lead service line replacement and an NSF 53-certified point-of-use filter are recommended.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. | 35.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Over Limit |
| 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. | 2.19 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in Minnesota
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in Minnesota
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Fulda'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 7 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Fulda.
▲ Up 34 ppb since 2022. The latest reading (35 ppb, 2025) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
2.2mg/L(2014)
One sampling round on record — 168% of the 1.3mg/L EPA action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Fulda's water comes from
Fulda'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.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
1,318 people
Residents served across Fulda'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 1,318 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulda | MN1510005 | 1,318 | Groundwater |
05Pressure on Fulda'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
8 federal disaster declarations on record for Murray County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Murray County is in D1 (moderate drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Fulda compares
Scores for nearby Minnesota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = Minnesota average (82/100)
Fulda scores 74.4/100 — below the Minnesota average of 82/100. It outscores 3 of 10 nearby cities. Full Minnesota rankings →
72.8 / 100BSt. Paul, MN
73.3 / 100CRochester, MN
69.7 / 100ABloomington, MN
93.6 / 100BBrooklyn Park, MN
81.5 / 100ADuluth, MN
88.6 / 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 Fulda's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter. Lead level (35.0 ppb) exceeds the EPA action level of 15 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 Fulda 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 Fulda, MN tap water safe to drink?
Fulda's water quality earned a grade of B- (74.4/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #431 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.
What contaminants are in Fulda's water?
Lead was measured at 35.0 ppb (90th percentile). 7 violations are on record.
How is Fulda'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 Fulda?
Yes — lead levels exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. We recommend an NSF 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fulda's water come from?
Fulda's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,318 residents.
Is Fulda's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Fulda 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 7 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 Fulda's water compare to other cities?
Fulda ranks #431 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 8% of state cities) and #9736 out of 15382 cities nationally (37th percentile). The grade of B- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fulda's small water system affect quality?
Fulda's system serves approximately 1,318 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 7 violations on record.