Is Silver Bay, 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 ↓
88.8/100
waterverge.com Silver Bay, MN — Water Quality Report
Silver Bay's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.8 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,826 residents using surface 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 4 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Silver Bay's water
Silver Bay ranks #254 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it below 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, Silver Bay may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Silver Bay, MN water safe to drink?
Silver Bay's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88.8/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 1,826 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Silver Bay
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Silver Bay's water quality assessment. Grade: A- (88.8/100).
Contaminants: Interim Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4797). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4722). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Chlorine.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Silver Bay's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Silver Bay's water system has 4 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 3 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lake County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2019. 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 Silver Bay's water come from?
Silver Bay's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 1,826 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Silver Bay 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.
Silver Bay'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
Lake County has experienced 10 federally declared disasters since 2019. 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 Silver Bay compares by contaminant
Explore where Silver Bay ranks among all Minnesota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Silver Bay's water comes from
Silver Bay's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
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 1,826 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Silver Bay
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Silver Bay | MN1380003 | 1,826 | SW |
How Silver Bay compares
Full Minnesota rankings →Silver Bay's score of 88.8/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View Minnesota rankings →About Silver Bay, MN
Wikipedia →Silver Bay is a city in Lake County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 1,857 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the largest population center in a natural tourism area which includes Tettegouche State Park and the Split Rock Lighthouse. It is a port along Lake Superior for iron ore, but does not have taconite mining facilities of its own, only a processing plant ran by Cleveland-Cliffs.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Silver Bay's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Lake
Frequently asked questions
Is Silver Bay, MN tap water safe to drink?
Silver Bay's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.8/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #254 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.
What contaminants are in Silver Bay's water?
Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 4 violations are on record.
How is Silver Bay'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 Silver Bay?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Silver Bay's water come from?
Silver Bay's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 1,826 residents.
How does Silver Bay's water compare to other cities?
Silver Bay ranks #254 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 45% of state cities) and #3244 out of 15744 cities nationally (79th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Silver Bay's small water system affect quality?
Silver Bay's system serves approximately 1,826 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.