Is New London, 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 ↓
93.3/100
New London, MN — Water Quality Report
New London's drinking water received a grade of A (93.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,277 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 10 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about New London's water
New London ranks #100 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it above average in the state.
New London 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, New London may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New London, MN water safe to drink?
New London's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (93.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,277 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New London
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New London's water quality assessment. Grade: A (93.3/100).
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3242). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 New London's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
New London's water system has 10 total violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Kandiyohi 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.
Where does New London's water come from?
New London's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,277 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What New London residents can do
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.
New London'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.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Flood & disaster history
Kandiyohi 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.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 0.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level (90th percentile)
Latest reading: 0.0 ppb (2023)
EPA action level: 15 ppb
See how New London compares by contaminant
Explore where New London ranks among all Minnesota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New London's water comes from
New London 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 New London'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 1,277 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving New London
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| New London | MN1340005 | 1,277 | GWP |
How New London compares
Full Minnesota rankings →New London's score of 93.3/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 9 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Minnesota rankings →About New London, MN
Wikipedia →New London is a city in Kandiyohi County, Minnesota, United States along the Middle Fork of the Crow River. The population was 1,252 at the 2020 census. Sibley State Park is nearby. It was named after New London, Wisconsin, by Louis Larson because of the similarity he saw with his previous home there. It was incorporated on April 8, 1889. The city was the county seat of Monongalia County from 1866 to 1870 when Monongalia merged with Kandiyohi County.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New London's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Kandiyohi
Frequently asked questions
Is New London, MN tap water safe to drink?
New London's water quality earned a grade of A (93.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #100 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.
What contaminants are in New London's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 10 violations are on record.
How is New London'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 New London?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New London's water come from?
New London's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,277 residents.
What health violations has New London's water system had?
New London has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2024. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
Is New London's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New London 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 10 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 New London's water compare to other cities?
New London ranks #100 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 79% of state cities) and #896 out of 15744 cities nationally (94th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New London's small water system affect quality?
New London's system serves approximately 1,277 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 10 violations on record.