WaterVerge

Is Spring Valley, 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 ↓

3K residents served 1 water system PWSID: MN1230012
Overall Score
94.3 / 100
Violations
1 active
Last Updated
May 2026
Source
Groundwater
#68 of 466 in Minnesota Top 4% nationally
Local Government
Moderate data confidence
Reviewed by WaterVerge Editorial Team · Last updated May 2026
AGRADE
Water Quality Grade
94.3/100
waterverge.com
A 94.3/100

Spring Valley, MN — Water Quality Report

Spring Valley's drinking water received a grade of A (94.3 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,580 residents using groundwater.

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 6 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.

Data last updated: May 2026 · Source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5
Analysis

What to know about Spring Valley's water

Spring Valley ranks #68 out of 466 cities in Minnesota for water quality, placing it above average in the state.

Spring Valley 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.

As a small community water system, Spring Valley may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.

Quality Breakdown

Water quality score

See methodology →
94.3 out of 100 Grade A
A: 90-100
B: 74-89
C: 60-73
F: <50
How is this calculated?
Violations
44.3/45
A
Historical violation record including health-based and monitoring violations.
Lead & Copper
20/20
A
Lead at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile).
Contaminants
17/20
B
PFAS + legacy contaminant analysis.
Compliance
8/10
B
Monitoring and reporting compliance with EPA regulations.
Source Risk
5/5
A
Water source: Groundwater.
Water Safety

Is Spring Valley, MN water safe to drink?

Use Caution

Spring Valley's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (94.3/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,580 residents using groundwater (wells).

1
Active Violations
0.0 ppb
Lead (90th %ile)
7 events
Disaster History

Recent water quality updates for Spring Valley

A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.

Update
Water quality data updated

Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Spring Valley's water quality assessment. Grade: A (94.3/100).

Disaster
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4797). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Chlorine.

Disaster
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING

Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4442). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.

Violation
1 drinking water violation recorded

Contaminants: Coliform (TCR).

Key contaminant findings

Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Spring Valley's water supply.

Lead Within Limits
Detected: 0.0 ppb Limit: 15 ppb (EPA Action Level)

Well within EPA limits.

Violation history

Spring Valley's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved.

MONMR
Most recent violations:
Dec 2020 Revised Total Coliform Rule Resolved
Oct 2020 Chlorine Resolved
May 2012 Coliform (TCR) Resolved
Apr 2012 Chlorine Resolved
Sep 1992 Coliform (TCR) Resolved

Flood & environmental risk

Fillmore County has experienced 7 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.

SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4797
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4442
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA DR-4290

Where does Spring Valley's water come from?

Spring Valley's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,580 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.

What Spring Valley residents can do

Request your utility's CCR

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.

Monitor alerts during storms

Spring Valley'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.

Contaminant Alerts

Top contaminants to know

View all ↓
Lead (90th percentile)
Inorganic / Heavy Metal
Safe
0.0 ppb
EPA Action Level: 15 ppb · 0% of limit
Safe Level
Compliance Record

Violation summary

6
Total violations
0
Health-based
1
Active / unresolved
Dec 2020
Most recent violation
Compliance Record

Violations & advisories

6 Total
1 Active
0 Health-based
5 Resolved
Violations by category
Stage 1 Disinfectants and Disinfection Byproducts Rule
2
Total Coliform Rule
2
Revised Total Coliform Rule
1
Active
Compliance Violation
Monitoring 0
Dec 2020 Resolved
Revised Total Coliform Rule
Monitoring
Monitoring Resolved Dec 2020
Oct 2020 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Dec 2020
May 2012 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved May 2012
Apr 2012 Resolved
Chlorine
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Jun 2012
Sep 1992 Resolved
Coliform (TCR)
Monitoring & Reporting
Monitoring & Reporting Resolved Sep 1992
Environmental Risk

Flood & disaster history

7
Declared disasters
Jun 2024
Most recent
Flood
Most common type

Fillmore County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1965. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.

Jun 2024
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4797
Jun 2019
SEVERE WINTER STORM, STRAIGHT-LINE WINDS, AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4442
Nov 2016
SEVERE STORMS AND FLOODING
Flood FEMA #4290
Sep 2005
HURRICANE KATRINA EVACUATION
Hurricane FEMA #3242
Jul 1974
SEVERE STORMS & FLOODING
Flood FEMA #446
Apr 1969
FLOODING
Flood FEMA #255

Full contaminants report

Contaminant Detected Level EPA Limit Unit Category Status
Lead (90th percentile) 0.0 15 ppb Inorganic Safe
Data source: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5, local utility CCR.

Lead level (90th percentile)

Latest reading: 0.0 ppb (2023)

EPA action level: 15 ppb

Contaminant Rankings

See how Spring Valley compares by contaminant

Explore where Spring Valley ranks among all Minnesota cities for specific contaminants.

Infrastructure

Water source & infrastructure

Primary Source
Groundwater
Operator
Local Government
Population Served
2,580
Water Systems
1
Water Source

Where Spring Valley's water comes from

Groundwater

Spring Valley'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 2,580 people through 1 water system.

Infrastructure

Water systems serving Spring Valley

System Name PWSID Population Source
Spring Valley MN1230012 2,580 GW
Regional Comparison

How Spring Valley compares

Full Minnesota rankings →

Spring Valley's score of 94.3/100 is above the average of 82/100 among major Minnesota cities. It outscores 10 of 10 nearby cities.

Spring Valley (this city)
94.3
St. Paul
73.3
Rochester
69.7
Minnesota avg
82
City Profile

About Spring Valley, MN

Wikipedia →

Spring Valley is a city in Fillmore County, Minnesota, United States. The population was 2,447 at the 2020 census.

Economic Profile
$66,250
Median Income
$139,352
Median Home Value
$738/mo
Median Rent
3.9%
Unemployment
Community
38.4
Median Age
328
People / sq mi
17.1%
College Educated
78.9%
Homeownership
Share this reportHelp others learn about their water quality
WhatsAppXFacebookLinkedInEmail

Frequently asked questions

Is Spring Valley, MN tap water safe to drink?

Spring Valley's water quality earned a grade of A (94.3/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #68 out of 466 cities tested in Minnesota.

What contaminants are in Spring Valley's water?

Lead was measured at 0.0 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.

How is Spring Valley'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 Spring Valley?

Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.

Where does Spring Valley's water come from?

Spring Valley's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,580 residents.

Is Spring Valley's groundwater at risk of contamination?

Spring Valley 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 6 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 Spring Valley's water compare to other cities?

Spring Valley ranks #68 out of 466 cities in Minnesota (better than 85% of state cities) and #535 out of 15744 cities nationally (97th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.

Does Spring Valley's small water system affect quality?

Spring Valley's system serves approximately 2,580 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 6 violations on record.