01The verdict: is New Salem water safe?
Based on EPA testing data, New Salem's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A (92/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 946 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 4.26 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓A clean compliance record
New Salem has no EPA violations on file — a stronger record than most systems its size.
See the record ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓New Salem's drinking water received a grade of A (92 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 946 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. No violations are on record for this water system.
New Salem ranks #22 out of 101 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it above average in the state. The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. As a small community water system, New Salem may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities. New Salem has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.
02What's in New Salem's water
Every contaminant flagged in New Salem, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 1.5 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
| Copper (90th percentile) CopperInorganic A metal that enters drinking water mainly through corrosion of copper plumbing. Small amounts are essential for health, but excess levels are harmful. Health EffectsGastrointestinal distress (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea) at short-term high levels; liver and kidney damage from long-term exposure. EPA Limit1.3 mg/L action level Common SourcesCorrosion of copper household plumbing, erosion of natural deposits. | 4.26 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in North Dakota
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in North Dakota
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03New Salem's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. No violations are on record for this water system.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for New Salem.
▼ Down 4.4 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 1.5 ppb (2024) — 10% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 0 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (4.3 mg/L, 1994) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where New Salem's water comes from
New Salem's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
946 people
Residents served across New Salem's service area.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards. These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 946 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW SALEM CITY OF | ND3000736 | 946 | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on New Salem's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Morton County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How New Salem compares
Scores for nearby North Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Dakota average (82/100)
New Salem scores 92/100 — above the North Dakota average of 82/100. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities. Full North Dakota rankings →
91.5 / 100ABismarck, ND
85.7 / 100BMinot, ND
83.2 / 100AGrand Forks, ND
91.3 / 100ADickinson, ND
93 / 100AWest Fargo, ND
92.2 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in New Salem's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Copper exceeds the EPA action level of 1.3 mg/L
Compare tested filters →Read your utility's annual report
Every utility must publish a yearly Consumer Confidence Report with its own testing results. It pairs well with the independent data on this page.
How to read a CCR →Watch for New Salem alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is New Salem, ND tap water safe to drink?
New Salem's water quality earned a grade of A (92/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #22 out of 101 cities tested in North Dakota.
What contaminants are in New Salem's water?
Lead was measured at 1.5 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.
How is New Salem'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 Salem?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Salem's water come from?
New Salem's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 946 residents.
How does New Salem's water compare to other cities?
New Salem ranks #22 out of 101 cities in North Dakota (better than 78% of state cities) and #1418 out of 15382 cities nationally (91th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does New Salem's small water system affect quality?
New Salem's system serves approximately 946 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 maintained a clean compliance record.