Lead Contamination

Lead in North Dakota Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

103

Cities Tested

Exceeds Limit

% Exceeds Limit

2.8 ppb

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

Health Violations

Analysis

Lead in North Dakota: what the data shows

North Dakota has 103 cities with lead monitoring data, with very few cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 2.8 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — better than the national average. 2 cities exceed the 15 ppb action level. High lead levels in tap water typically indicate aging infrastructure — lead service lines, lead solder in older plumbing, or lead-containing brass fixtures. There is no safe level of lead exposure for children. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

North Dakota

2 of 103 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

378 of 15681 cities

City Map

Lead data across North Dakota

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in North Dakota

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

All Cities

All North Dakota cities ranked by lead level

#	City	Level	Exceeds?	Violations	Grade
1	Lakota	66.0 ppb	Yes	1	B-
2	Cando	15.2 ppb	Yes	0	B
3	Carrington	13.9 ppb	No	1	B+
4	Casselton	12.1 ppb	No	0	A-
5	Jamestown	10.9 ppb	No	1	B+
6	Grafton	9.8 ppb	No	1	B+
7	Grand Forks	8.9 ppb	No	8	A
8	Rugby	8.6 ppb	No	0	A-
9	Wilton	7.5 ppb	No	1	B
10	Horace	7.0 ppb	No	19	D+
11	Harvey	6.8 ppb	No	0	A-
12	Harwood	6.7 ppb	No	3	B+
13	Velva	6.7 ppb	No	4	B+
14	Fort Yates	6.3 ppb	No	18	B
15	Washburn	5.1 ppb	No	23	A
16	Finley	4.7 ppb	No	1	B+
17	Center	4.1 ppb	No	0	B+
18	Hazen	4.1 ppb	No	0	B
19	Wahpeton	3.9 ppb	No	0	A-
20	Abercrombie	3.9 ppb	No	7	B
21	Kenmare	3.8 ppb	No	24	B+
22	Beach	3.5 ppb	No	4	A
23	Gilby	3.1 ppb	No	1	A-
24	Bismarck	2.7 ppb	No	4	A-
25	Mayville	2.7 ppb	No	2	A
26	Wishek	2.6 ppb	No	0	A
27	Dunseith	2.6 ppb	No	3	B+
28	Underwood	2.6 ppb	No	4	A-
29	Fargo	2.3 ppb	No	8	A
30	New Rockford	2.3 ppb	No	2	A
31	Enderlin	2.3 ppb	No	0	A+
32	Bowman	2.2 ppb	No	0	A-
33	Hillsboro	2.1 ppb	No	1	A-
34	Garrison	2.1 ppb	No	6	A-
35	Bottineau	2.1 ppb	No	4	B+
36	Edgeley	2.1 ppb	No	5	B
37	Cooperstown	2.0 ppb	No	0	A
38	Devils Lake	2.0 ppb	No	8	A-
39	Ellendale	1.9 ppb	No	2	A
40	Pembina	1.9 ppb	No	8	A
41	Larimore	1.7 ppb	No	0	A-
42	Ashley	1.7 ppb	No	0	A-
43	Lidgerwood	1.7 ppb	No	1	A
44	Tioga	1.7 ppb	No	0	A
45	Ray	1.7 ppb	No	0	A-
46	St. Michael	1.6 ppb	No	15	A-
47	New Salem	1.5 ppb	No	0	A
48	Milnor	1.5 ppb	No	14	B
49	Minto	1.5 ppb	No	0	A+
50	Walhalla	1.4 ppb	No	8	A
51	Belcourt	1.4 ppb	No	3	C-
52	Minot	1.4 ppb	No	2	B+
53	New Town	1.3 ppb	No	49	D
54	Hatton	1.2 ppb	No	0	A-
55	Turtle Lake	1.1 ppb	No	6	A-
56	Crosby	1.1 ppb	No	0	A-
57	Portland	1.1 ppb	No	0	B+
58	Northwood	1.0 ppb	No	1	A-
59	Trenton	0.8 ppb	No	2	A
60	Dickinson	0.0 ppb	No	11	A
61	West Fargo	0.0 ppb	No	1	A
62	Williston	0.0 ppb	No	9	B-
63	Mandan	0.0 ppb	No	2	B
64	Kindred	0.0 ppb	No	1	A-
65	Valley City	0.0 ppb	No	7	A
66	Watford City	0.0 ppb	No	5	C+
67	Thompson	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
68	Cavalier	0.0 ppb	No	0	A
69	Langdon	0.0 ppb	No	9	A
70	Lincoln	0.0 ppb	No	2	A-
71	Fessenden	0.0 ppb	No	4	A-
72	Lisbon	0.0 ppb	No	1	A-
73	Hankinson	0.0 ppb	No	8	D
74	Beulah	0.0 ppb	No	3	A
75	Oakes	0.0 ppb	No	3	A
76	Fullerton	0.0 ppb	No	0	B+
77	Park River	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
78	Surrey	0.0 ppb	No	1	A+
79	Alexander	0.0 ppb	No	2	B+
80	Mapleton	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
81	Rolla	0.0 ppb	No	1	A-
82	Hettinger	0.0 ppb	No	2	A
83	Sharon	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
84	Stanley	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
85	Linton	0.0 ppb	No	2	A-
86	Burlington	0.0 ppb	No	15	A
87	Belfield	0.0 ppb	No	1	B+
88	Killdeer	0.0 ppb	No	0	B
89	Parshall	0.0 ppb	No	8	A-
90	La Moure	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
91	Drayton	0.0 ppb	No	7	A-
92	Strasburg	0.0 ppb	No	3	B
93	Glen Ullin	0.0 ppb	No	2	A
94	Napoleon	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
95	Mohall	0.0 ppb	No	1	A
96	Gwinner	0.0 ppb	No	0	A-
97	Hebron	0.0 ppb	No	2	A
98	Mott	0.0 ppb	No	2	A
99	Steele	0.0 ppb	No	3	A
100	Elgin	0.0 ppb	No	3	A
101	New England	0.0 ppb	No	1	B+
102	Richardton	0.0 ppb	No	0	B+
103	Forman	0.0 ppb	No	1	A-

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in North Dakota

Is lead in North Dakota tap water a concern?

Yes — 2 of 103 cities with lead data exceed the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average is 2.8 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from North Dakota tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which North Dakota cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in North Dakota are: Lakota (66.0 ppb), Cando (15.2 ppb), Carrington (13.9 ppb), Casselton (12.1 ppb), Jamestown (10.9 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

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