Lithium Contamination

Lithium in Minnesota Drinking Water

Ranked by max lithium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 5 data (2023–2025) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Detected

100%

% Detected

25.8 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 0% vs national

vs National

217

Health Violations

Analysis

Lithium in Minnesota: what the data shows

Minnesota has 92 cities with lithium data from the EPA's UCMR 5 program (2023–2025). Lithium was detected in 92 of those cities. There is currently no federal MCL or health advisory for lithium — the state average max detected level is 25.8 µg/L. Nationally, lithium is detected in roughly 28% of sampled water systems. Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in arid western states, and is concentrated in some surface waters near industrial discharge or geothermal sources. UCMR 5 added lithium monitoring in 2023, providing the first systematic national snapshot of public-water lithium levels. At therapeutic doses (administered as a medication), lithium is used to treat bipolar disorder. Chronic low-dose exposure from drinking water has been associated in some studies with effects on thyroid function and possibly mood. The most protective state guidance value is around 60 µg/L. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange are effective removal methods.

Comparison

Cities exceeding No federal MCL or HA

Minnesota

100%

92 of 92 cities

← = Exactly at national rate

National avg

100%

2808 of 2808 cities

City Map

Lithium data across Minnesota

Each dot is a city with UCMR 5 lithium testing data. Detected cities are shown — there is no federal limit, though some states use 60 µg/L as a screening level. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lithium level in Minnesota

Highest Lithium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Minnesota cities ranked by lithium level

#	City	Level	Detected?	Violations	Grade
1	Moorhead	99.6 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
2	Dilworth	90.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
3	Morris	80.0 µg/L	Detected	10	D
4	Jackson	78.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
5	Morton	77.5 µg/L	Detected	0	C+
6	St. Louis Park	76.2 µg/L	Detected	5	A-
7	Ortonville	72.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
8	Red Wing	70.0 µg/L	Detected	5	A
9	Breckenridge	61.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
10	Marshall	59.1 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
11	Lake Benton	57.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
12	Luverne	57.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
13	Worthington	53.4 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
14	Winona	50.1 µg/L	Detected	10	A
15	Montevideo	48.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
16	Sleepy Eye	47.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
17	Lonsdale	42.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
18	North Mankato	40.7 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
19	Pipestone	36.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
20	Willmar	35.7 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
21	Amboy	35.0 µg/L	Detected	14	C+
22	Mankato	34.8 µg/L	Detected	8	F
23	Waseca	27.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
24	Blue Earth	27.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
25	Redwood Falls	25.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
26	Watertown	24.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
27	Albertville	23.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
28	Litchfield	23.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
29	Shakopee	21.7 µg/L	Detected	7	B
30	Waconia	21.6 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
31	New Ulm	21.5 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
32	Savage	21.1 µg/L	Detected	5	A-
33	Albert Lea	21.1 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
34	New Prague	21.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
35	Elko-New Market	21.0 µg/L	Detected	4	A+
36	Windom	21.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
37	Austin	20.5 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
38	Rogers	20.4 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
39	St. James	20.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
40	Hamel	20.0 µg/L	Detected	2	A
41	Apple Valley	19.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
42	Belle Plaine	19.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
43	Prior Lake	18.6 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
44	Anoka	18.4 µg/L	Detected	4	A
45	Fairmont	18.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
46	Welch	18.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
47	Jeffers	18.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
48	Maple Grove	17.8 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
49	Faribault	17.4 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
50	Edina	17.1 µg/L	Detected	1	B+
51	Mound	16.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
52	Melrose	16.0 µg/L	Detected	3	A
53	St. Clair	16.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
54	Chaska	15.8 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
55	Jordan	15.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
56	Carver	15.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
57	Lesueur	15.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
58	Alexandria	14.9 µg/L	Detected	0	B
59	Plymouth	13.6 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
60	East Grand Forks	13.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
61	Crookston	13.0 µg/L	Detected	0	B-
62	Delano	13.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
63	Glencoe	13.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A
64	Annandale	13.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
65	Detroit Lakes	12.0 µg/L	Detected	36	C-
66	Shorewood	12.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
67	Arlington	12.0 µg/L	Detected	1	A-
68	Blaine	11.8 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
69	Brooklyn Park	11.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
70	Burnsville	11.7 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
71	Minnetrista	11.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A
72	Stillwater	10.9 µg/L	Detected	8	C+
73	Fergus Falls	10.9 µg/L	Detected	11	C
74	Rochester	10.8 µg/L	Detected	1	C+
75	Lakeville	10.7 µg/L	Detected	2	A-
76	Minnetonka	10.7 µg/L	Detected	0	A
77	Robbinsdale	10.7 µg/L	Detected	0	A
78	Monticello	10.3 µg/L	Detected	6	B
79	Wayzata	10.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
80	Owatonna	9.9 µg/L	Detected	0	A
81	Chanhassen	9.7 µg/L	Detected	0	B+
82	Eagan	9.6 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
83	Inver Grove Heights	9.6 µg/L	Detected	37	D
84	Andover	9.6 µg/L	Detected	3	A+
85	Lakeland	9.6 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
86	St. Peter	9.5 µg/L	Detected	1	A+
87	Northfield	9.2 µg/L	Detected	0	A-
88	Mounds View	9.2 µg/L	Detected	0	A+
89	Long Prairie	9.2 µg/L	Detected	1	A
90	Sauk Rapids	9.1 µg/L	Detected	2	B+
91	Victoria	9.1 µg/L	Detected	3	A-
92	Kasson	9.0 µg/L	Detected	0	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lithium in Minnesota

Is lithium in Minnesota tap water harmful?

Lithium has no federal MCL or health advisory. Some state agencies use 60 µg/L as a screening level. 92 cities in Minnesota had detectable lithium in UCMR 5 testing. Therapeutic lithium doses (used to treat bipolar disorder) are far higher than typical drinking-water levels, but chronic low-level exposure has been studied for potential thyroid and mood effects.

Where does lithium in tap water come from?

Lithium occurs naturally in groundwater, especially in arid western states with lithium-bearing geology (parts of Nevada, California, North Carolina, Texas). It can also enter water from industrial sources such as battery manufacturing, ceramics, and lithium-mining wastewater. Geothermal hot springs are another natural source.

How can I remove lithium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis is highly effective at removing lithium, typically reducing it by 90% or more. Ion exchange systems and distillation also work well. Standard activated carbon filters are NOT effective against lithium. If you rely on a private well in a lithium-rich geological area, consider testing.

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