WaterVerge

Is Lanesboro, 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 ↓

727 residents served 1 water system PWSID: MN1230006
Overall Score
91.5 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#163 of 466 in Minnesota Top 11% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
91.5/100
waterverge.com
A 91.5/100

Lanesboro, MN — Water Quality Report

Lanesboro's drinking water received a grade of A (91.5 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 727 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 4 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.

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

What to know about Lanesboro's water

Lanesboro ranks #163 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.

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

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
91.5 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.5/45
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 Lanesboro, MN water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Lanesboro's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (91.5/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 727 residents using groundwater (wells).

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

Recent water quality updates for Lanesboro

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

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lanesboro's water quality assessment. Grade: A (91.5/100).

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: Chlorine.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

1 health-based. Contaminants: Combined Radium (-226 and -228).

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

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

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

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Lanesboro's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved.

MRMCL
Most recent violations:
Jul 2012 Chlorine Resolved
Jun 2010 Combined Radium (-226 and -228) Resolved
Jun 1996 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Fillmore County has experienced 7 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. Local water sources include Root River.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4797
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4442
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4290

Where does Lanesboro's water come from?

Lanesboro's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 727 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate. Nearby water bodies include Root River (river).

What Lanesboro 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

Lanesboro'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

4
Total violations
1
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Jul 2012
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

4 Total
1 Active
1 Health-based
3 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
1
Radionuclides and Revised Rad Rule
1
Total Coliform Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Jul 2012 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 2012
Jun 2010 Resolved
Combined Radium (-226 and -228)
Max Contaminant Level
Health-Based Health Resolved Jun 2012
Jun 1996 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1996
Industrial pollution

Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Lanesboro

Industrial polluters nearby

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

FacilityTop chemicalTo surface water (lbs/yr)Distance
POET BIOREFNING - PRESTON LLC
Chemicals · POET HOLDING CO LLC
PRESTON, MN55965
6.4 mi
PRESTON PROTEIN PRODUCTS
Food · DIVERSIFIED INGREDIENTS
PRESTON, MN55965
6.5 mi

Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023

Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Jun 2024
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Fillmore County has experienced 7 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
Nov 2016
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4290
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3242
Jul 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #446
Apr 1969
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #255

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
727
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Lanesboro's water comes from

Groundwater

Lanesboro'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 727 people through 1 water system.

Local Hydrology

Water bodies near Lanesboro

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

Root River
river
Infrastructure

Water systems serving Lanesboro

System Name PWSID Population Source
Lanesboro MN1230006 727 GW
Regional Comparison

How Lanesboro compares

Full Minnesota rankings →

Lanesboro's score of 91.5/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.

Lanesboro (this city)
91.5
St. Paul
73.3
Rochester
69.7
Minnesota avg
82
City Profile

About Lanesboro, MN

Wikipedia →

Lanesboro is a city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States. As of the 2020 census, Lanesboro had a population of 724. It was named after F. A. Lane, an early landowner.

Economic Profile
$71,750
Median Income
$166,662
Median Home Value
$499/mo
Median Rent
1.2%
Unemployment
Community
46.6
Median Age
211
People / sq mi
44.3%
College Educated
70.3%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Lanesboro, MN tap water safe to drink?

Lanesboro's water quality earned a grade of A (91.5/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #163 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.

What contaminants are in Lanesboro's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.

How is Lanesboro'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 Lanesboro?

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

Where does Lanesboro's water come from?

Lanesboro's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 727 residents.

What health violations has Lanesboro's water system had?

Lanesboro has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2012. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.

Is Lanesboro's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Lanesboro 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 4 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 Lanesboro's water compare to other cities?

Lanesboro ranks #163 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 65% of state cities) and #1679 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 Lanesboro's small water system affect quality?

Lanesboro's system serves approximately 727 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 4 violations on record.