Strontium Contamination

Strontium in Minnesota Drinking Water

Ranked by max strontium detected (µg/L) · UCMR 3 data (2013–2015) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

Cities Tested

Over HRL

% Over HRL

280.0 µg/L

State Avg

▼ 5% vs national

vs National

217

Health Violations

Analysis

Strontium in Minnesota: what the data shows

Minnesota has 94 cities with strontium data from the EPA's UCMR 3 program (2013–2015). Strontium was detected above the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level in 1 of those cities. The state average max detected level is 280.0 µg/L. Strontium occurs naturally in groundwater, particularly in areas with limestone and dolomite geology. It can also enter water from industrial waste and mining operations. There is no federal MCL for strontium, but the EPA established a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L. Long-term exposure to strontium above the HRL may affect bone health, particularly in children, by substituting for calcium in developing bones. Reverse osmosis and ion exchange systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 1,500 µg/L EPA HRL (no MCL)

Minnesota

1 of 94 cities

← ▼ 5% below national rate (better)

National avg

250 of 4371 cities

City Map

Strontium data across Minnesota

Each dot is a city with UCMR 3 strontium testing data. Cities where strontium exceeds the 1,500 µg/L EPA health reference level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by strontium level in Minnesota

Highest Strontium levels (µg/L)

All Cities

All Minnesota cities ranked by strontium level

#	City	Level	Over HRL?	Violations	Grade
1	Red Wing	2450.0 µg/L	Over HRL	5	A
2	Marshall	1110.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
3	North Mankato	1080.0 µg/L	No	1	A-
4	Chaska	974.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
5	Sleepy Eye	873.9 µg/L	No	0	A
6	Savage	826.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
7	Winona	800.0 µg/L	No	10	A
8	New Ulm	749.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
9	Rochester	667.0 µg/L	No	1	C+
10	Worthington	585.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
11	Willmar	549.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
12	Austin	461.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
13	Shakopee	459.0 µg/L	No	7	B
14	Delano	434.8 µg/L	No	0	A
15	Anoka	426.0 µg/L	No	4	A
16	Albany	391.2 µg/L	No	2	B+
17	Plymouth	336.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
18	Albertville	321.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
19	Robbinsdale	318.0 µg/L	No	0	A
20	Fridley	311.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
21	Albert Lea	303.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
22	St. Peter	297.0 µg/L	No	1	A+
23	Mounds View	293.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
24	Champlin	290.0 µg/L	No	0	A
25	Brooklyn Park	288.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
26	Blaine	283.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
27	Crookston	282.1 µg/L	No	0	B-
28	Edina	274.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
29	Faribault	269.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
30	St. Louis Park	265.0 µg/L	No	5	A-
31	Coon Rapids	263.0 µg/L	No	2	A
32	Prior Lake	260.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
33	Chanhassen	260.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
34	Burnsville	257.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
35	Minnetonka	253.0 µg/L	No	0	A
36	Brooklyn Center	247.0 µg/L	No	0	A
37	Ramsey	232.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
38	Inver Grove Heights	224.0 µg/L	No	37	D
39	Mankato	221.0 µg/L	No	8	F
40	Shoreview	218.0 µg/L	No	0	A
41	Sartell	217.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
42	Alexandria	215.0 µg/L	No	0	B
43	Maple Grove	212.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
44	Hopkins	211.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
45	New Brighton	203.0 µg/L	No	1	A
46	Buffalo	203.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
47	Owatonna	202.0 µg/L	No	0	A
48	Monticello	199.0 µg/L	No	6	B
49	White Bear Lake	192.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
50	Lino Lakes	180.0 µg/L	No	1	C+
51	Cloquet	176.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
52	South St. Paul	172.0 µg/L	No	6	B+
53	Hibbing	171.0 µg/L	No	1	C
54	Lakeville	166.0 µg/L	No	2	A-
55	Hutchinson	159.0 µg/L	No	0	A
56	Andover	154.0 µg/L	No	3	A+
57	Northfield	147.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
58	Eagan	145.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
59	Apple Valley	145.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
60	Sauk Rapids	144.0 µg/L	No	2	B+
61	Brainerd	137.0 µg/L	No	3	B+
62	Farmington	136.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
63	Vadnais Heights	136.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
64	Cold Spring	135.9 µg/L	No	10	A
65	Keewatin	135.0 µg/L	No	1	A
66	Moorhead	133.0 µg/L	No	0	B+
67	Fairmont	131.0 µg/L	No	3	A-
68	Fergus Falls	128.0 µg/L	No	11	C
69	Rosemount	124.0 µg/L	No	1	B+
70	Richfield	122.0 µg/L	No	0	A+
71	Isanti	113.5 µg/L	No	2	A+
72	Spring Grove	111.7 µg/L	No	0	A
73	Cottage Grove	105.0 µg/L	No	4	A-
74	Eden Prairie	102.0 µg/L	No	0	A-
75	Hastings	102.0 µg/L	No	8	C+
76	Elk River	100.0 µg/L	No	0	A
77	Plainview	96.4 µg/L	No	0	A-
78	St. Cloud	93.2 µg/L	No	2	A-
79	Roseville	90.7 µg/L	No	0	A
80	Woodbury	87.7 µg/L	No	0	B+
81	Stillwater	85.9 µg/L	No	8	C+
82	Golden Valley	83.9 µg/L	No	0	A-
83	Crystal	80.6 µg/L	No	0	A+
84	North St. Paul	79.4 µg/L	No	1	A
85	St. Paul	77.9 µg/L	No	5	B-
86	Minneapolis	77.3 µg/L	No	2	B-
87	Oakdale	76.7 µg/L	No	1	B+
88	Bloomington	76.5 µg/L	No	1	A
89	Willernie	75.8 µg/L	No	0	A-
90	Bemidji	75.5 µg/L	No	7	C
91	New Hope	73.5 µg/L	No	0	A-
92	Columbia Heights	71.1 µg/L	No	0	B+
93	Duluth	30.2 µg/L	No	1	A-
94	Two Harbors	23.9 µg/L	No	0	A

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about strontium in Minnesota

Is strontium in Minnesota tap water harmful?

Strontium at low levels is not considered harmful, but the EPA set a health reference level (HRL) of 1,500 µg/L based on potential bone effects. 1 cities in Minnesota exceed this HRL. There is currently no federal MCL for strontium. Children may be more susceptible because strontium can substitute for calcium in developing bones.

How can I remove strontium from my drinking water?

Reverse osmosis and ion exchange (water softener) systems are effective at removing strontium from drinking water. Standard carbon filters are NOT effective. If your water comes from a well in an area with limestone or dolomite geology, consider testing for strontium.

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