01The verdict: is Turtle Lake water safe?
Turtle Lake's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (88.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 3,171 residents using groundwater (wells).
3 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Lead is well under the limit
90th-percentile lead is 1.1 ppb — beneath the 15 ppb federal action level and under the 5 ppb watch threshold.
See the trend ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Turtle Lake's drinking water received a grade of A- (88.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 4 water systems serve approximately 3,171 residents using groundwater.
Lead levels were measured at 1.1 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 14 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
Turtle Lake ranks #39 out of 101 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state. Turtle Lake 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, Turtle Lake may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Turtle Lake's water
Every contaminant flagged in Turtle Lake, 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.
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. | 1.1 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
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
03Turtle Lake'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. The system has 14 violations on record, including 6 health-based violations. 3 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Turtle Lake.
▼ Down 4.7 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 1.1 ppb (2025) — 7% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Turtle Lake's water comes from
Turtle Lake's drinking water is drawn from underground aquifers through wells.
Groundwater
Underground aquifers reached by wells — naturally filtered, but can carry minerals like arsenic and nitrate.
Local treatment
Groundwater generally needs less treatment — typically disinfection and, where needed, mineral removal.
4 systems
4 water systems, operated under private ownership.
3,171 people
Residents served across Turtle Lake's service area.
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 private ownership and serves approximately 3,171 people through 4 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| MCLEAN-SHERIDAN WATER DISTRICT-SYSTEM 1 | ND2801400 | 1,800 | Groundwater |
| TURTLE LAKE CITY OF | ND2800949 | 581 | Purchased Groundwater |
| MCLEAN-SHERIDAN WATER DISTRICT-SYSTEM 3 | ND2801487 | 400 | Purchased Surface Water |
| MCLEAN-SHERIDAN WATER DISTRICT-SYSTEM 2 | ND2801696 | 390 | Purchased Surface Water |
05Pressure on Turtle Lake'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 McLean County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Turtle Lake compares
Scores for nearby North Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Dakota average (82/100)
Turtle Lake scores 88.9/100 — above the North Dakota average of 82/100. It outscores 6 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 Turtle Lake's water — not generic advice.
A basic carbon filter still helps
Turtle Lake's water meets federal standards, but a simple carbon filter improves taste and adds a margin of safety against short-term issues.
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 Turtle Lake 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 Turtle Lake, ND tap water safe to drink?
Turtle Lake's water quality earned a grade of A- (88.9/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #39 out of 101 cities tested in North Dakota.
What contaminants are in Turtle Lake's water?
Lead was measured at 1.1 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.
How is Turtle Lake'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 Turtle Lake?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Turtle Lake's water come from?
Turtle Lake's water is sourced from Groundwater. The city has 4 water systems serving approximately 3,171 residents.
What health violations has Turtle Lake's water system had?
Turtle Lake has 6 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in January 2016. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 3 violations remain unresolved.
Is Turtle Lake's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Turtle Lake 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 14 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 Turtle Lake's water compare to other cities?
Turtle Lake ranks #39 out of 101 cities in North Dakota (better than 61% of state cities) and #3147 out of 15382 cities nationally (80th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.