Minnesota Water Quality Report 2026

7 cities1,292,025 residentsUpdated March 2026

B78.1/100State Average
Minnesota has 7 cities in our database, serving approximately 1,292,025 residents. The average PurityMap score is 78.1/100 (Grade: B), which is 0.2 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Duluth has the cleanest water (85/100) while Rochester scores lowest (73/100) due to very hard water, high TDS.
Is Minnesota Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Safe — Softener May Help

Minnesota tap water is safe — softener may help based on our analysis of 7 water systems serving 1,292,025 residents. The average PurityMap score is 78.1/100 (Grade: B), which is 0.2 points above the national average.

  • 6 cities (86%) have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG) which causes scale buildup and appliance damage.
  • 2 cities exceed the EPA secondary TDS guideline of 500 ppm, which affects taste and may indicate elevated minerals.
  • 6 cities use chloramine or have elevated chlorine residuals. Standard Brita pitchers do not remove chloramine.
Our Recommendation

A water softener is the most impactful investment for Minnesota residents in hard water areas. A basic carbon pitcher or faucet filter removes chlorine and improves taste.

All 7 cities in Minnesota meet EPA federal drinking water standards as of 2026. However, EPA standards set legal limits — not health goals. Many contaminants are detected at levels that are legal but may still pose long-term health risks according to independent health organizations like the EWG.
Minnesota at a Glance
78.1Avg Purity Score
11.6Avg Hardness (GPG)
Very Hard
0Cities with PFAS
6Cities with Hard Water
3Avg Lead (ppb)
396Avg TDS (ppm)

Minnesota is 0.2 points above the US average of 77.9/100. Hardness is 5.3 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG.

Best & Worst Water in Minnesota
Cleanest

Duluth

85/100

Source: Lake Superior

Most Concerns

Rochester

73/100

very hard water, high TDS

Cities with Most Water Concerns in Minnesota

Cities ranked by lowest score. Click any city for the full report and filter recommendations.

RankCityScoreHardnessLeadKey Issues
1Rochester 73/10028.0 GPG2.5 ppbVery Hard (28.0 GPG), TDS (950 ppm)
2Plymouth 73/10018.5 GPG2.0 ppbVery Hard (18.5 GPG), TDS (680 ppm)
3Saint Paul 79/1008.5 GPG4.2 ppbHard (8.5 GPG)
4Minneapolis 79/1008.5 GPG3.8 ppbHard (8.5 GPG)
5Brooklyn Park 79/1008.5 GPG3.5 ppbHard (8.5 GPG)
6Bloomington 79/1008.5 GPG3.5 ppbHard (8.5 GPG)
7Duluth 85/1000.8 GPG1.2 ppbScore: 85/100
Score Distribution

How Minnesota's 7 cities score on the PurityMap 0–100 scale:

Excellent (85–100)
1 city
Good (70–84)
6 cities
Moderate (60–69)
0 cities
Poor (below 60)
0 cities
Largest Cities in Minnesota — Water Quality

Water quality for the most populated cities. Click any city for details.








CityPopulationScoreHardnessKey Issues
Minneapolis425K 79/1008.5 GPGHard
Saint Paul400K 79/1008.5 GPGHard
Rochester121K 73/10028.0 GPGVery Hard
Bloomington90K 79/1008.5 GPGHard
Duluth89K 85/1000.8 GPG—
Brooklyn Park86K 79/1008.5 GPGHard
Plymouth80K 73/10018.5 GPGVery Hard
Hard Water in Minnesota

6 of 7 cities (86%) in Minnesota have hard or very hard water (7+ GPG). Rochester has the hardest at 28.0 GPG. Cities: Rochester, Plymouth, Saint Paul, Minneapolis, Bloomington, Brooklyn Park. A water softener is recommended.

Hard Water Guide Softener Solutions
PFAS in Minnesota Water

Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Minnesota cities in our database as of 2026.

Lead in Minnesota Water

All Minnesota cities have lead below 5 ppb. Average: 3.0 ppb. Individual homes with older plumbing may have higher levels.

High TDS in Minnesota

2 cities in Minnesota have TDS above 500 ppm. Cities: Rochester, Plymouth. RO effectively reduces TDS.

RO Reduces TDS
Water Sources in Minnesota

Where Minnesota gets its drinking water, based on 7 water systems.



Source TypeCities% of Total
Surface Water571%
Groundwater229%
Recommended Filter for Minnesota

Minnesota is a hard water state (6/7 cities). A whole-house softener is the best investment.

All Minnesota Cities — Ranked
#CityPop.ScoreHardnessLeadPFASTDS
1Rochester121K 73/10028.0 GPG (Very Hard)2.5 ppb✅ No950 ppm
2Plymouth80K 73/10018.5 GPG (Very Hard)2.0 ppb✅ No680 ppm
3Saint Paul400K 79/1008.5 GPG (Hard)4.2 ppb✅ No280 ppm
4Minneapolis425K 79/1008.5 GPG (Hard)3.8 ppb✅ No280 ppm
5Brooklyn Park86K 79/1008.5 GPG (Hard)3.5 ppb✅ No280 ppm
6Bloomington90K 79/1008.5 GPG (Hard)3.5 ppb✅ No280 ppm
7Duluth89K 85/1000.8 GPG (Soft)1.2 ppb✅ No25 ppm
Water Utilities in Minnesota

Minnesota has 6 utilities. Major: Minneapolis Water Works, Saint Paul Regional Water Services, City of Rochester Water, City of Duluth Water and Gas, City of Plymouth Water.

Sources: Mississippi River, Groundwater, Lake Superior, Mississippi River via Minneapolis, Groundwater Prairie du Chien aquifer.

Frequently Asked Questions
Which city has the best water in Minnesota?
Duluth scores highest at 85/100. Source: Lake Superior.
Which city has the worst water in Minnesota?
Rochester scores lowest at 73/100 due to very hard water, high TDS.
Is Minnesota water hard or soft?
Average hardness: 11.6 GPG (Very Hard). 5.3 GPG above the US average of 6.3 GPG. 6 of 7 cities have hard/very hard water.
Has PFAS been found in Minnesota water?
Based on EPA UCMR5 data, PFAS have not been detected above advisory levels in any Minnesota cities in our database as of 2026.
What water filter should I use in Minnesota?
Minnesota is a hard water state (6/7 cities). A whole-house softener is the best investment.
How does Minnesota water compare to the US average?
Score: 78.1/100 (0.2 points above US avg 77.9). Hardness: 11.6 GPG (5.3 GPG above US avg 6.3).
Where does Minnesota get its drinking water?Where does Minnesota get its drinking water?
Minnesota water comes from: Surface Water: 5 cities (71%), Groundwater: 2 cities (29%).
Data Sources & Methodology
  • EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • State utility Consumer Confidence Reports
  • USGS regional water monitoring data

PurityMap compiles publicly available data and does not perform independent testing.

How we analyze water Data sources
All Minnesota Cities with Water Reports

7 city water quality reports available for Minnesota.

7 Reports
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Showing all 7 cities
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