Is Ottertail, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A+ with no contaminants above EPA limits. Here's everything we tested and how Ottertail ranks. What to do next ↓
97/100
waterverge.com Ottertail, MN — Water Quality Report
Ottertail's drinking water received a grade of A+ (97 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 694 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.
No violations are on record for this water system.
What to know about Ottertail's water
Ottertail ranks #17 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it one of the best in the state.
Ottertail 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, Ottertail may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Ottertail has a clean compliance record with no violations on file, reflecting strong operational practices.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Ottertail, MN water safe to drink?
Based on EPA testing data, Ottertail's tap water is generally safe to drink. The water system earned a grade of A+ (97/100), meeting federal drinking water standards across key contaminant categories. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 694 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Ottertail
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Ottertail's water quality assessment. Grade: A+ (97/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-1982). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-3242). Hurricane event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Ottertail's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Flood & environmental risk
Otter Tail County has experienced 8 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 Ottertail's water come from?
Ottertail's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 694 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Ottertail 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.
Ottertail'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 ↓Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Ottertail
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Ottertail, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
MASTER COMPOSITES INC HENNING, MN56551 | — | — | 9.6 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Flood & disaster history
Otter Tail County has experienced 8 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 trend (90th percentile)
See how Ottertail compares by contaminant
Explore where Ottertail ranks among all Minnesota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Ottertail's water comes from
Ottertail 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 Ottertail'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 694 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Ottertail
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ottertail | MN1560032 | 694 | GWP |
How Ottertail compares
Full Minnesota rankings →Ottertail's score of 97/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Minnesota rankings →About Ottertail, MN
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Ottertail's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Otter Tail
Frequently asked questions
Is Ottertail, MN tap water safe to drink?
Ottertail's water quality earned a grade of A+ (97/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #17 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.
What contaminants are in Ottertail's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). No violations on record.
How is Ottertail'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 Ottertail?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Ottertail's water come from?
Ottertail's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 694 residents.
Is Ottertail's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Ottertail uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. Current testing shows the groundwater meets EPA standards. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Ottertail's water compare to other cities?
Ottertail ranks #17 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 96% of state cities) and #113 out of 15744 cities nationally (99th percentile). The grade of A+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Ottertail's small water system affect quality?
Ottertail's system serves approximately 694 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.