WaterVerge

Is Hayfield, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

1K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MN1200004
Overall Score
93.9 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#86 of 466 in Minnesota Top 4% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
93.9/100
waterverge.com
A 93.9/100

Hayfield, MN — Water Quality Report

Hayfield's drinking water received a grade of A (93.9 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,363 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 5 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Hayfield's water

Hayfield ranks #86 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
93.9 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
43.9/45
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
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Hayfield, MN water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Hayfield's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.9/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,363 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
6 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Hayfield

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Hayfield's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.9/100).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Nitrate.

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

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

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4182). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Hayfield's water system has 5 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.

MR
Most recent violations:
Jan 2023 Nitrate Resolved
Oct 1992 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Nov 1991 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Oct 1991 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Dodge County has experienced 6 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 WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4442
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA DR-4182
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA DR-3242

Where does Hayfield's water come from?

Hayfield's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,363 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Hayfield 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

Hayfield'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

5
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jan 2023
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

5 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
4 Resolved
Violations by category
Total Coliform Rule
3
Nitrate Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jan 2023 Resolved
Nitrate
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2023
Oct 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1992
Nov 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Nov 1991
Oct 1991 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Oct 1991
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Hayfield

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
MCNEILUS TRUCK & MANUFACTURING INC
Transportation Equipment · OSHKOSH CORP
DODGE CENTER, MN55927
9.8 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

6
Declared disasters
Jun 2019
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Dodge County has experienced 6 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jun 2019
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4442
Jul 2014
SEVERE STORMS, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, FLOODING, LANDSLIDES, AND MUDSLIDES
Flood FEMA #4182
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3242
May 2001
SEVERE WINTER STORMS, FLOODING, AND TORNADOES
Flood FEMA #1370
Jul 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #446
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 (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 0.0 ppb (2023)

EPA action level: 15 ppb

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
1,363
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Hayfield's water comes from

Groundwater

Hayfield'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 1,363 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Hayfield

System Name PWSID Population Source
Hayfield MN1200004 1,363 GW
Regional Comparison

How Hayfield compares

Full Minnesota rankings →

Hayfield's score of 93.9/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Hayfield (this city)
93.9
St. Paul
73.3
Rochester
69.7
Minnesota avg
82
City Profile

About Hayfield, MN

Wikipedia →

Hayfield is a city in Dodge County, Minnesota, United States. As of the 2020 census, Hayfield had a population of 1,364.

Economic Profile
$68,125
Median Income
$152,757
Median Home Value
$983/mo
Median Rent
2.3%
Unemployment
Community
35.4
Median Age
437
People / sq mi
20.1%
College Educated
68.7%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is Hayfield, MN tap water safe to drink?

Hayfield's water quality earned a grade of A (93.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #86 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.

What contaminants are in Hayfield's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 5 violations are on record.

How is Hayfield'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 Hayfield?

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

Where does Hayfield's water come from?

Hayfield's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,363 residents.

Is Hayfield's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Hayfield 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 5 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 Hayfield's water compare to other cities?

Hayfield ranks #86 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 82% of state cities) and #681 out of 15744 cities nationally (96th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Hayfield's small water system affect quality?

Hayfield's system serves approximately 1,363 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 5 violations on record.