01The verdict: is Wilton water safe?
Wilton's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B (75.9/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 711 residents using gup.
Copper is over its legal limit
Measured at 2.05 mg/L against the EPA Action Level of 1.3 mg/L. The ledger below shows how far over — and which filter removes it.
See the measurement ↓711 people, 1 system
All figures on this page come from federal EPA compliance and testing data for the systems serving this city.
See the systems ↓1 violation in the last five years
Recent compliance history is the best predictor of future problems — the year-by-year record is below.
See the record ↓Wilton's drinking water received a grade of B (75.9 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 711 residents using gup.
Lead levels were measured at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 6 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved.
Wilton ranks #94 out of 101 cities in North Dakota for water quality, placing it among the lowest-rated in the state. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Wilton may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Wilton's water
Every contaminant flagged in Wilton, 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.
Over Limit — EPA Action Level: 1.3 mg/L
Exceeds the EPA action level. Copper leaches from household plumbing — flush taps for 30 seconds before drinking, and consider a certified filter.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. | 7.5 | 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. | 2.05 | 1.3 | mg/L | Inorganic | Over Limit |
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
03Wilton'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 6 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved.
9 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▼ Down 16 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 7.5 ppb (2023) — 50% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
▼ Down 1.6 mg/L since 1993. The latest reading (2.0 mg/L, 2005) is over the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Wilton's water comes from
Wilton's water comes from groundwater under the direct influence of surface water, a designation that requires the same treatment rigor as surface water systems.
GUP
Source details for this system are limited in EPA records.
Local treatment
Treatment is regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act.
1 system
1 water system, operated under local government ownership.
711 people
Residents served across Wilton's service area.
This source type is vulnerable to both surface contamination pathways and naturally occurring underground contaminants. The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 711 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| WILTON CITY OF | ND0801031 | 711 | GUP |
Water bodies near Wilton
These water bodies shape the regional watershed and can indirectly affect groundwater quality.
05Pressure on Wilton'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 Wilton compares
Scores for nearby North Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = North Dakota average (82/100)
Wilton scores 75.9/100 — below the North Dakota average of 82/100. It outscores 2 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 Wilton's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 7.5 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Wilton 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 Wilton, ND tap water safe to drink?
Wilton's water quality earned a grade of B (75.9/100). Some concerns have been identified. Consider a water filter for an extra layer of protection. The city ranks #94 out of 101 cities tested in North Dakota.
What contaminants are in Wilton's water?
Lead was measured at 7.5 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.
How is Wilton'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 Wilton?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Wilton's water come from?
Wilton's water is sourced from GUP. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 711 residents.
What health violations has Wilton's water system had?
Wilton has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in October 2023. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Wilton's water compare to other cities?
Wilton ranks #94 out of 101 cities in North Dakota (better than 7% of state cities) and #9346 out of 15382 cities nationally (39th percentile). The grade of B reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Wilton's small water system affect quality?
Wilton's system serves approximately 711 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.