WaterVerge

Is Grand Meadow, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 2 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MN1500008
Overall Score
91.3 / 100
Violations
2 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#174 of 466 in Minnesota Top 11% nationally
Local Government
High data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.3/100
waterverge.com
A 91.3/100

Grand Meadow, MN — Water Quality Report

Grand Meadow's drinking water received a grade of A (91.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,154 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 0.0 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 8 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about Grand Meadow's water

Grand Meadow ranks #174 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

Grand Meadow 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, Grand Meadow may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.3 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.3/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 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 Grand Meadow, MN water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Grand Meadow's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,154 residents using groundwater (wells).

2
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
5 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Grand Meadow

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Grand Meadow's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.3/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4797). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4442). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Grand Meadow's water system has 8 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Dec 2013 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 2013 Chlorine Resolved
Oct 2002 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Apr 2000 Lead and Copper Rule Open
Jul 1997 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Mower County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4797
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4442
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3242

Where does Grand Meadow's water come from?

Grand Meadow's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,154 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Grand Meadow residents can do

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Grand Meadow's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.

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
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

8
Total violations
0
Health-based
2
Active / unresolved
Dec 2013
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

8 Total
2 Active
0 Health-based
6 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
5
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Apr 2000 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Dec 2013 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2013
Oct 2013 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2013
Oct 2002 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2002
Jul 1997 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1997
Jul 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1992
Apr 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 1991
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

5
Declared disasters
Jun 2024
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Mower County has experienced 5 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jun 2024
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4797
Jun 2019
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4442
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3242
May 2001
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1370
Apr 1965
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #188

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 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 decreased by 0.0 ppb from 2022 (0.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Contaminant Rankings

See how Grand Meadow compares by contaminant

Explore where Grand Meadow ranks among all Minnesota cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,154
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Grand Meadow's water comes from

Groundwater

Grand Meadow'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 1,154 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Grand Meadow

System Name PWSID Population Source
Grand Meadow MN1500008 1,154 GW
Regional Comparison

How Grand Meadow compares

Full Minnesota rankings →

Grand Meadow's score of 91.3/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Grand Meadow (this city)
91.3
St. Paul
73.3
Rochester
69.7
Minnesota avg
82
City Profile

About Grand Meadow, MN

Wikipedia →

Grand Meadow is a city in Mower County, Minnesota, United States. The city is on the boundary between Grand Meadow Township and Frankford Township, and it is politically independent of both townships. The population was 1,127 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$65,066
Median Income
$160,980
Median Home Value
$527/mo
Median Rent
0.8%
Unemployment
Community
34.9
Median Age
539
People / sq mi
24.3%
College Educated
80.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Grand Meadow, MN tap water safe to drink?

Grand Meadow's water quality earned a grade of A (91.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #174 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.

What contaminants are in Grand Meadow's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 8 violations are on record.

How is Grand Meadow'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 Grand Meadow?

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

Where does Grand Meadow's water come from?

Grand Meadow's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,154 residents.

Is Grand Meadow's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Grand Meadow 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 8 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 Grand Meadow's water compare to other cities?

Grand Meadow ranks #174 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 63% of state cities) and #1774 out of 15744 cities nationally (89th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Grand Meadow's small water system affect quality?

Grand Meadow's system serves approximately 1,154 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 8 violations on record.