WaterVerge

Is Grove City, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓

635 residents served 1 water system PWSID: MN1470007
Overall Score
90.9 / 100
Violations
None active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#192 of 466 in Minnesota Top 13% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
90.9/100
waterverge.com
A 90.9/100

Grove City, MN — Water Quality Report

Grove City's drinking water received a grade of A (90.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 635 residents using groundwater.

Lead levels were measured at 4.0 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 1 violation on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

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

What to know about Grove City's water

Grove City ranks #192 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
90.9 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.9/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
14/20
C
Lead at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
10/10
A
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Grove City, MN water safe to drink?

Generally Safe

Based on EPA testing data, Grove City's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (90.9/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 635 residents using groundwater (wells).

None
Violations
4.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
4 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Grove City

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Grove City's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Disaster
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3242). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1370). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Key contaminant findings

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

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 4.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Copper Exceeds Limit
Detected: 1.81 mg/L Limit: 1.3 mg/L (EPA Action Level)

Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.

Violation history

Grove City's water system has 1 total violation on record, including 0 health-based violations. All violations have been resolved.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jul 2019 Lead and Copper Rule Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Meeker County has experienced 4 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.

HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3242
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA DR-1370
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-255

Where does Grove City's water come from?

Grove City's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 635 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Grove City 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.

Flush your taps

Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.

Monitor alerts during storms

Grove City'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
4.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 27% of limit
Safe Level
Copper (90th percentile)
Inorganic
Over Limit
1.81 mg/L
EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L · +20% over limit
Exceeds Limit
Compliance Record

Violation summary

1
Total violations
0
Health-based
0
Active / unresolved
Jul 2019
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

1 Total
0 Active
0 Health-based
1 Resolved
Jul 2019 Resolved
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2019
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Grove City

Industrial polluters nearby

Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Grove City, ranked by pounds discharged annually.

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
ANDERSON CHEMICAL CO
Chemicals · NA
LITCHFIELD, MN55355
8.3 mi
TECH-ETCH INC
Fabricated Metals · TECH ETCH INC
LITCHFIELD, MN55355
8.6 mi
JENNIE O TURKEY STORE ATWATER FEEDMILL
Food · HORMEL FOODS CORP
ATWATER, MN56209
5.0 mi
BUSHMILLS ETHANOL INC
Chemicals · NA
ATWATER, MN56209
6.2 mi
PRECISION FIBERGLASS PRODUCTS LTD.
Plastics and Rubber · NA
GROVE CITY, MN56243
0.3 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

4
Declared disasters
Sep 2005
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Meeker County has experienced 4 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3242
May 2001
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1370
Apr 1969
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #255
Apr 1965
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #188

Recommended water filters

Based on contaminants detected in Grove City's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.

🔧
For Copper
Reverse Osmosis or KDF Filter
Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 4.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Copper (90th percentile) 1.81 1.3 mg/L Inorganic Over Limit
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 15 ppb
Lead has increased by 2.0 ppb from 2015 (2.0 ppb) to 2025 (4.0 ppb).

Copper level trend (90th percentile)

EPA action level: 1.3 mg/L
Copper has decreased by 0.370 mg/L from 2014 (2.180 mg/L) to 2016 (1.810 mg/L).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
635
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Grove City's water comes from

Groundwater

Grove City'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 635 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Grove City

System Name PWSID Population Source
Grove City MN1470007 635 GW
Regional Comparison

How Grove City compares

Full Minnesota rankings →

Grove City's score of 90.9/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Grove City (this city)
90.9
St. Paul
73.3
Rochester
69.7
Minnesota avg
82
City Profile

About Grove City, MN

Economic Profile
$50,521
Median Income
$129,157
Median Home Value
$820/mo
Median Rent
4.1%
Unemployment
Community
29.2
Median Age
517
People / sq mi
11%
College Educated
57.8%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Grove City, MN tap water safe to drink?

Grove City's water quality earned a grade of A (90.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #192 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.

What contaminants are in Grove City's water?

Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 1 violation is on record.

How is Grove City'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 Grove City?

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

Where does Grove City's water come from?

Grove City's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 635 residents.

Is Grove City's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Grove City 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 1 violation 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 Grove City's water compare to other cities?

Grove City ranks #192 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 59% of state cities) and #1996 out of 15744 cities nationally (87th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Grove City's small water system affect quality?

Grove City's system serves approximately 635 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 1 violation on record.