HAA5 Contamination

HAA5 in Minnesota Drinking Water

Ranked by average HAA5 concentration (µg/L) · UCMR 4 data (2018–2020) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

7.2 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 1% vs national

vs National

217

Health Violations

Analysis

HAA5 in Minnesota: what the data shows

Minnesota has 95 cities with HAA5 monitoring data from the EPA's UCMR 4 program (2018–2020). Haloacetic acids (HAA5) form when chlorine-based disinfectants react with natural organic matter in water. The state average is 7.2 µg/L — better than the 15.5 µg/L national average. No cities currently exceed the 60 µg/L EPA MCL. HAA5 is a group of five chlorinated and brominated acetic acids. Long-term exposure above the MCL is associated with increased cancer risk and adverse reproductive outcomes. The EPA classifies total HAA5 as a probable human carcinogen at elevated concentrations. Activated carbon filtration (especially granular or block carbon) is effective at reducing HAA5. Running water through a refrigerator filter or letting it sit in an open pitcher for 30 minutes also helps, as some HAA5 species are volatile. Boiling does not remove disinfection byproducts and may concentrate them.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 60 µg/L EPA MCL

Minnesota

0 of 95 cities

← ▼ 1% below national rate (better)

National avg

23 of 4420 cities

City Map

HAA5 data across Minnesota

Each dot is a city with UCMR 4 HAA5 testing data. Cities where average HAA5 exceeded the 60 µg/L EPA MCL are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by haa5 level in Minnesota

Highest HAA5 levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Minnesota cities ranked by haa5 level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Worthington	34.7 µg/L	No	0	B+
2	Brainerd	28.2 µg/L	No	3	B+
3	Roseville	26.4 µg/L	No	0	A
4	St. Paul	24.4 µg/L	No	5	B-
5	Golden Valley	21.9 µg/L	No	0	A-
6	Columbia Heights	21.7 µg/L	No	0	B+
7	Coon Rapids	19.9 µg/L	No	2	A
8	Plymouth	19.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
9	Minneapolis	19.3 µg/L	No	2	B-
10	Sartell	19.1 µg/L	No	0	A-
11	New Hope	18.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
12	Crystal	16.7 µg/L	No	0	A+
13	Fergus Falls	15.7 µg/L	No	11	C
14	Albertville	15.1 µg/L	No	0	A-
15	Buffalo	14.9 µg/L	No	0	A-
16	Mankato	14.7 µg/L	No	8	F
17	Princeton	14.1 µg/L	No	0	A-
18	St. Cloud	12.5 µg/L	No	2	A-
19	Blaine	12.3 µg/L	No	3	A-
20	Bloomington	11.9 µg/L	No	1	A
21	Forest Lake	11.5 µg/L	No	0	A
22	Minnetonka	11.0 µg/L	No	0	A
23	Hutchinson	10.9 µg/L	No	0	A
24	Cloquet	10.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
25	Duluth	9.8 µg/L	No	1	A-
26	Sauk Rapids	9.7 µg/L	No	2	B+
27	Fairmont	9.7 µg/L	No	3	A-
28	Hibbing	9.6 µg/L	No	1	C
29	Chisholm	9.1 µg/L	No	0	A-
30	Lake Benton	8.7 µg/L	No	1	A-
31	Waconia	8.3 µg/L	No	0	B+
32	Alexandria	8.0 µg/L	No	0	B
33	Brooklyn Park	7.9 µg/L	No	0	B+
34	Eden Prairie	7.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
35	Anoka	6.8 µg/L	No	4	A
36	Shoreview	6.7 µg/L	No	0	A
37	Mounds View	6.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
38	Cambridge	6.4 µg/L	No	0	A
39	Chanhassen	5.8 µg/L	No	0	B+
40	Burnsville	5.7 µg/L	No	0	A-
41	Brooklyn Center	5.7 µg/L	No	0	A
42	Willmar	5.7 µg/L	No	3	A-
43	Lakeville	5.6 µg/L	No	2	A-
44	White Bear Lake	5.6 µg/L	No	0	A-
45	New Ulm	5.4 µg/L	No	0	B+
46	Norwood Young America	5.4 µg/L	No	2	A
47	Andover	5.3 µg/L	No	3	A+
48	Robbinsdale	5.1 µg/L	No	0	A
49	Apple Valley	4.8 µg/L	No	0	B+
50	Rochester	4.6 µg/L	No	1	C+
51	Lesueur	4.5 µg/L	No	0	A
52	Savage	4.5 µg/L	No	5	A-
53	Elk River	4.4 µg/L	No	0	A
54	Chaska	3.6 µg/L	No	2	B+
55	Moorhead	3.5 µg/L	No	0	B+
56	Eagan	3.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
57	North Mankato	3.4 µg/L	No	1	A-
58	Sherburn	3.2 µg/L	No	0	A
59	Oronoco	2.8 µg/L	No	0	A
60	Monticello	2.8 µg/L	No	6	B
61	St. Peter	2.7 µg/L	No	1	A+
62	Inver Grove Heights	2.7 µg/L	No	37	D
63	Shakopee	2.7 µg/L	No	7	B
64	Maple Grove	2.6 µg/L	No	0	B+
65	Blackduck	2.5 µg/L	No	1	A-
66	Winona	2.4 µg/L	No	10	A
67	Albert Lea	2.3 µg/L	No	0	A-
68	Big Lake	2.2 µg/L	No	1	A
69	Woodbury	1.9 µg/L	No	0	B+
70	Prior Lake	1.9 µg/L	No	1	B+
71	Minneota	1.6 µg/L	No	0	A-
72	Farmington	1.6 µg/L	No	0	A-
73	Hugo	1.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
74	Northfield	1.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
75	Rosemount	1.4 µg/L	No	1	B+
76	New Brighton	1.3 µg/L	No	1	A
77	Hopkins	1.3 µg/L	No	0	B+
78	St. Louis Park	1.2 µg/L	No	5	A-
79	Ramsey	1.1 µg/L	No	0	A+
80	Edina	1.1 µg/L	No	1	B+
81	Lino Lakes	1.1 µg/L	No	1	C+
82	Champlin	0.9 µg/L	No	0	A
83	Vadnais Heights	0.8 µg/L	No	0	B+
84	Marshall	0.8 µg/L	No	0	B+
85	Stillwater	0.8 µg/L	No	8	C+
86	Oakdale	0.7 µg/L	No	1	B+
87	Cottage Grove	0.6 µg/L	No	4	A-
88	Austin	0.6 µg/L	No	0	B+
89	Richfield	0.5 µg/L	No	0	A+
90	Fridley	0.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
91	Bemidji	0.3 µg/L	No	7	C
92	Cass Lake	0.3 µg/L	No	17	C-
93	Faribault	0.1 µg/L	No	2	B+
94	Owatonna	0.1 µg/L	No	0	A
95	Red Wing	0.0 µg/L	No	5	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about haa5 in Minnesota

What is HAA5 and why does it appear in Minnesota tap water?

HAA5 (haloacetic acids) are disinfection byproducts that form when chlorine reacts with naturally occurring organic matter in source water. They are a normal byproduct of the disinfection process that makes water safe to drink. No cities in Minnesota currently exceed the 60 µg/L EPA MCL. The state average is 7.2 µg/L.

How can I reduce HAA5 exposure from Minnesota drinking water?

Activated carbon filters (granular or block) effectively reduce HAA5. Refrigerator filters and under-sink carbon systems are convenient options. Unlike lead or PFAS, HAA5 levels can also be reduced by letting water stand in an open container, as some species evaporate. Boiling does NOT remove HAA5 and can concentrate them by reducing water volume.

Which Minnesota cities have the highest HAA5 levels?

The cities with the highest average HAA5 concentrations in Minnesota are: Worthington (34.7 µg/L), Brainerd (28.2 µg/L), Roseville (26.4 µg/L), St. Paul (24.4 µg/L), Golden Valley (21.9 µg/L). Note: this data is from UCMR 4 testing (2018–2020) and may not reflect current levels.

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