Is New Town, ND Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded D — but Copper was detected above EPA limits. Here's what's in the water and how to remove it. What to do next ↓
45.3/100
waterverge.com New Town, ND — Water Quality Report
New Town's drinking water received a grade of D (45.3 out of 100), indicating poor water quality. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 8,555 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.3 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 350 violations on record, including 49 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved.
What to know about New Town's water
New Town ranks #103 out of 103 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state.
New Town 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.
Haloacetic acid (HAA5) levels were elevated at 32.7 µg/L in UCMR 4 testing, though below the 60 µg/L EPA limit. Activated carbon filtration can help reduce these disinfection byproducts.
The system has seen 35 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is New Town, ND water safe to drink?
New Town's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of D (45.3/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 7 water systems serve approximately 8,555 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for New Town
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into New Town's water quality assessment. Grade: D (45.3/100).
1 health-based. Contaminants: TTHM.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4717). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Surface Water Treatment Rule, Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4475). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for New Town's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Exceeds EPA action level. Copper can leach from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking.
Violation history
New Town's water system has 350 total violations on record, including 49 health-based violations. 11 remain unresolved. 35 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Mountrail County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1976. 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 Town's water come from?
New Town's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 7 water systems serving approximately 8,555 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What New Town residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in New Town's water.
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 Town'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
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of New Town
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near New Town, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
ANDEAVOR FIELD SERVICES LLC - ROBINSON LAKE GAS PLANT NEW TOWN, ND58763 | — | — | 6.9 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Mountrail County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 1976. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Recommended water filters
Based on contaminants detected in New Town's water supply, we recommend the following filter types.
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. | 1.3 | 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. | 1.54 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
Copper level trend (90th percentile)
See how New Town compares by contaminant
Explore where New Town ranks among all North Dakota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where New Town's water comes from
New Town'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 8,555 people through 7 water systems.
Water systems serving New Town
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| NEW TOWN, CITY OF | 083890029 | 2,528 | GW |
| LITTLE SHELL | 083890016 | 1,500 | GWP |
| FOUR BEARS WATER SYSTEM | 083890015 | 1,200 | SW |
| MANDAREE WATER PLANT | 083890001 | 1,034 | SW |
| WHITE SHIELD WATER TREATMENT PLANT | 083890002 | 952 | SW |
| PARSHALL-LUCKY MOUND | 083890017 | 720 | SW |
| TWIN BUTTES WATER PLANT | 083890003 | 621 | SW |
How New Town compares
Full North Dakota rankings →New Town's score of 45.3/100 is below the average of 82/100 among major North Dakota cities. 10 of 10 nearby cities score higher.
Nearby cities
View North Dakota rankings →ZIP codes served by New Town
The water systems serving New Town cover 1 ZIP code. Select any ZIP to see which water systems serve that area.
About New Town, ND
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to New Town's water quality findings.
Frequently asked questions
Is New Town, ND tap water safe to drink?
New Town's water quality earned a grade of D (45.3/100). Significant issues have been found. A water filter is strongly recommended. The city ranks #103 out of 103 cities tested in North Dakota.
What contaminants are in New Town's water?
Lead was measured at 1.3 ppb (90th percentile). 350 violations are on record.
How is New Town'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 Town?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does New Town's water come from?
New Town's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 7 water systems serving approximately 8,555 residents.
What health violations has New Town's water system had?
New Town has 49 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in July 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 11 violations remain unresolved.
Is New Town's groundwater at risk of contamination?
New Town 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 350 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 Town's water compare to other cities?
New Town ranks #103 out of 103 cities in North Dakota (better than 0% of state cities) and #14171 out of 15744 cities nationally (10th percentile). The grade of D reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.