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Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideHistorical Record: No Recorded SDWIS Violations

ZIP Code 56502 Water Quality & Testing Report

Detroit Lakes, MN · Becker County County · Updated for 2026

Sahajul HaqueCompiled & verified by Sahajul Haque from official EPA SDWIS records
Public Health & Medical Notice: Drinking water quality data on this page reflects historical compliance records submitted under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This information does not constitute medical advice or a real-time safety guarantee. If you are pregnant, nursing, preparing infant formula, or immunocompromised, consult a healthcare provider. Boiling water kills biological pathogens, but does NOT remove chemical contaminants like lead, arsenic, or PFAS.
Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 56502 (Detroit Lakes, MN)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 56502 (Detroit Lakes, MN) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of D (45/100) due to 10 health violation(s) and 4.0 ppb lead. While treated by Detroit Lakes, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
D

Water Safety Grade

Poor — Multiple violations recorded

Health Violations

10

Total Violations

17

Lead Risk

N/A

Contaminants

1

⚠

Active Water Quality Issues Detected

EPA records show 9 unresolved violations. Contact Detroit Lakes for current status.

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 56502

Tap water in ZIP code 56502 (Detroit Lakes, MN) is distributed by Detroit Lakes (EPA ID: MN1030005), serving approximately 10,038 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of D with a composite quality score of 45/100.

Water System

Detroit Lakes

EPA ID: MN1030005

Water Source

Ground Water

Population Served

10,038 residents

County

Becker County County, Minnesota

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Lead Levels in ZIP 56502

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 4.0 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 56502 is 4.0 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.
Lead Level (90th percentile)
4.00 ppb (0.004 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Unknown
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Hard9.9 GPG · 170 mg/L

Water in ZIP 56502 is Hard (170 mg/L / 9.9 GPG). Residents may notice white mineral spots on glassware, reduced soap efficiency, and mineral scale on faucets and showerheads.

Recommendation: An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

9.9 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

170 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Detroit Lakes · PWSID: MN1030005

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Detroit Lakes has recorded 10 health-based violations out of 17 total violations over the past 5 years. 9 violations remain unresolved in EPA tracking records.

Total Violations (5 yr)
17
Health-Based Violations
10
Unresolved Violations
9
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Critical

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Critical based on past reporting and enforcement records.

⚗️

Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

EPA records identify 1 contaminant with health-based violations in the past 5 years: Lead.

Lead

⚖ Enforcement Actions

EPA or state regulators have issued 10 enforcement actions to address compliance lapses.
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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Ground Water

This system draws water from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through soil and rock, but can still contain naturally occurring minerals like arsenic, radium, or nitrates.

Water Source Type
Ground Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 56502

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 56502 served by Detroit Lakes can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by Minnesota Department of Health.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in MN for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 56502 Recommendations

  • 🚨 Install a certified NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 (reverse osmosis) filter immediately for drinking and cooking
  • 🚨 Do not give unfiltered water to children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals
  • 🚨 Contact Detroit Lakes to request the current violation status and corrective action plan
  • 🚨 Report concerns to your state environmental agency or call the EPA hotline: 1-800-426-4791
  • 🚨 Consider having your home's tap water independently tested by a certified lab

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

REQUIRED FOR SAFETY
🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Certified to remove lead. Recommended for immediate protection.

Lead Filter Guide →
STRONGLY RECOMMENDED
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Reverse Osmosis system certified to remove PFAS, heavy metals, and viruses.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 56502 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 56502?+
Tap water in 56502 has a below-average safety grade of D due to compliance issues. We recommend using a certified water filter for drinking and cooking.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 56502 (Detroit Lakes, MN)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 56502, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in MN. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact Minnesota Department of Health for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 56502?+
Tap water in 56502 is classified as Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 170 mg/L (9.9 GPG). An ion-exchange water softener or descaler is recommended to prolong the life of water heaters, dishwashers, and plumbing.
Should I test private well water in 56502?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 56502 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 56502 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 56502 is 4.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 56502?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 56502. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 56502?+
Tap water in ZIP code 56502 is provided by Detroit Lakes (EPA ID: MN1030005), serving approximately 10,038 residents.
What water filter should I use in 56502?+
Based on water metrics for 56502, we recommend Reverse Osmosis (PFAS & Lead). Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 53 (Chemical Contaminants), NSF/ANSI 42 (Aesthetic Effects).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 56502 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Detroit Lakes. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →