North Dakota Tap Water Quality Rankings 2026: 2nd in Nation | WaterQ
North Dakota ranks 2nd out of 50 states for drinking water quality, receiving a grade of A with an average score of 93. The state manages water safety across 92 public water systems serving a population of 673,521 residents. Despite a high overall score, North Dakota has recorded 1,528 water violations that require ongoing monitoring and infrastructure maintenance.
Key Findings for North Dakota
Reviewing EPA SDWIS data for 2026, here's what defines North Dakota's water quality landscape:
- Public water systems in Great Plains agricultural areas can experience seasonal runoff, potentially introducing agricultural chemicals like nitrates into local source waters.
- Rapid population and industrial growth, such as in the Bakken oil and gas region, can place additional demands on local water infrastructure and resource management.
- Managing 92 water systems across a dispersed rural population requires continuous investment to prevent violation occurrences and maintain high compliance standards.
Most Common Contaminants in North Dakota
Here's what North Dakota residents should know about the contaminants most relevant to their water:
Nitrate
Commonly associated with agricultural runoff from fertilizers, nitrates can seep into groundwater or surface sources in farming regions.
Arsenic
Naturally occurring in certain rock formations and soils of the Great Plains, arsenic can dissolve into groundwater aquifers.
Disinfection Byproducts
These byproducts can form when chlorine or other disinfectants used to treat drinking water react with naturally occurring organic matter in the source water.
North Dakota's Best and Worst Cities for Water Quality
To examine the water quality data and potential violations for specific local communities, please refer to our comprehensive database of water systems across North Dakota. This breakdown provides detailed compliance histories for municipal systems serving residents statewide. Explore the full breakdown on our North Dakota water systems page.
What North Dakota Residents Should Do
Given North Dakota's 2nd place ranking, here's what matters most for residents:
- Look up your local public water system's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to review its specific compliance history and detected contaminant levels.
- If your home relies on a private well, schedule regular testing for contaminants like nitrates, arsenic, and bacteria, as private wells are not regulated by the EPA.
- Consider installing a certified home water filtration system target-matched to address any specific contaminants identified in your local water system.
- Monitor the EPA violation database or local public notices for any active advisory warnings affecting your community's water supply.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does North Dakota water quality compare to other states?
North Dakota ranks 2nd out of 50 states nationwide, indicating a very high relative standing in drinking water compliance. The state received an overall grade of A with an average score of 93.
What are the most common contaminants in North Dakota tap water?
Typical concerns in this agricultural and energy-producing region include nitrate from agricultural runoff and naturally occurring arsenic in groundwater. Additionally, disinfection byproducts can sometimes accumulate during the public water treatment process.
Is it safe to drink tap water in North Dakota?
With a grade of A and ranking 2nd in the nation, North Dakota's tap water is generally highly safe and compliant with federal standards. However, local issues and violations can still occur across its 92 public water systems, so residents should check their local system's records.
Source: EPA SDWIS 2026 Compliance Data and WaterQ National Database. For more information on our ranking process, visit our state rankings page.