WaterVerge

Is La Moure, ND Tap Water Safe to Drink?

Graded A-, with 3 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓

889 residents served 1 water system PWSID: ND2300537
Overall Score
86.3 / 100
Violations
3 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Purchased ground water
#60 of 103 in North Dakota Top 31% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
A-GRADE
Water Quality Grade
86.3/100
waterverge.com
A- 86.3/100

La Moure, ND — Water Quality Report

La Moure's drinking water received a grade of A- (86.3 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 889 residents using purchased ground water.

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 3 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

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

What to know about La Moure's water

La Moure ranks #60 out of 103 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it below average in the state.

La Moure purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.

As a small community water system, La Moure may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
86.3 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
0/10
F
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Purchased ground water.
Water Safety

Is La Moure, ND water safe to drink?

Concerns Identified

La Moure's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (86.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 889 residents using groundwater (wells).

3
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
10 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for La Moure

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into La Moure's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (86.3/100).

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4717). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Disaster
FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4553). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.

Key contaminant findings

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

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

La Moure's water system has 3 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.

OtherMR
Most recent violations:
Oct 2017 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jul 2016 Consumer Confidence Rule Open
Jan 2014 Lead and Copper Rule Open

Flood & environmental risk

LaMoure County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1999. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies. Local water sources include James River.

FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4717
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4553
FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4475

Where does La Moure's water come from?

La Moure's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 889 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include James River (river).

What La Moure residents can do

Install a water filter

Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in La Moure's water.

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

La Moure'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

3
Total violations
0
Health-based
3
Active / unresolved
Oct 2017
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

3 Total
3 Active
0 Health-based
0 Resolved
Violations by category
Consumer Confidence Rule
2
Lead and Copper Rule
1
Oct 2017 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jul 2016 Active
Consumer Confidence Rule
Other Violation 0
Jan 2014 Active
Lead and Copper Rule
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting 0
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

10
Declared disasters
Jul 2023
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

LaMoure County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1999. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jul 2023
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4717
Jul 2020
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4553
Jan 2020
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4475
Jun 2019
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4444
May 2011
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1981
Apr 2010
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #1907

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 3.0 ppb from 1993 (3.0 ppb) to 2025 (0.0 ppb).
Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Purchased Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
889
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where La Moure's water comes from

Purchased Groundwater

La Moure purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.

Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of La Moure's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.

Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.

The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 889 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near La Moure

La Moure is located near 1 notable water body. These water bodies contribute to the regional watershed and may indirectly affect groundwater quality.

James River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving La Moure

System Name PWSID Population Source
LAMOURE CITY OF ND2300537 889 GWP
Regional Comparison

How La Moure compares

Full North Dakota rankings →

La Moure's score of 86.3/100 is on par with the average of 82/100 among major North Dakota cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.

La Moure (this city)
86.3
Fargo
91.5
Bismarck
85.7
Minot
83.2
North Dakota avg
82
City Profile

About La Moure, ND

Economic Profile
$69,375
Median Income
$122,225
Median Home Value
$729/mo
Median Rent
1.5%
Unemployment
Community
49.2
Median Age
194
People / sq mi
30.2%
College Educated
80.6%
Homeownership
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Frequently asked questions

Is La Moure, ND tap water safe to drink?

La Moure's water quality earned a grade of A- (86.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #60 out of 103 cities tested in North Dakota.

What contaminants are in La Moure's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 3 violations are on record.

How is La Moure'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 La Moure?

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

Where does La Moure's water come from?

La Moure's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 889 residents.

Is La Moure's groundwater at risk of contamination?

La Moure 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 3 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 La Moure's water compare to other cities?

La Moure ranks #60 out of 103 cities in North Dakota (better than 42% of state cities) and #4791 out of 15744 cities nationally (70th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does La Moure's small water system affect quality?

La Moure's system serves approximately 889 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 3 violations on record.