June 14, 2026

Fargo, ND Water Quality Report 2026

By PureWaterGuys

EPA compliance testing (2012–2019) detected 13 regulated contaminants in this water system: Bromate, Lead, Haloacetic acids (HAA5) + 10 more.

Unlock the full breakdown — detected levels vs. legal limits, plus what removes each one.

Full contaminant breakdown

EPA Six-Year Review compliance monitoring, 2012–2019 — the most recent national compliance dataset EPA has published. See the sections above for more recent violation and PFAS records.

ContaminantAvg. detectedHighest sampleFederal limitAvg. vs. limit
BromateEPA health goal: zero 5.97 ppb 88 ppb 10 ppb 60%
LeadEPA health goal: zero 4.83 ppb 22 ppb 15 ppb (action level) 32%
Haloacetic acids (HAA5) 11.3 ppb 34.2 ppb 60 ppb 19%
Fluoride 625 ppb 625 ppb 4000 ppb 16%
Gross alpha radioactivityEPA health goal: zero 2.44 pCi/L 2.44 pCi/L 15 pCi/L 16%
Total trihalomethanes (TTHMs) 10.2 ppb 63.7 ppb 80 ppb 13%
ArsenicEPA health goal: zero 1.08 ppb 1.08 ppb 10 ppb 11%
Nitrate 660 ppb 660 ppb 10000 ppb 7%
Copper 63.5 ppb 260 ppb 1300 ppb (action level) 5%
Radium (combined)EPA health goal: zero 0.166 pCi/L 0.166 pCi/L 5 pCi/L 3%
Nitrate + nitrite 329 ppb 710 ppb 10000 ppb 3%
Barium 37.6 ppb 37.6 ppb 2000 ppb 2%
Nitrite 21 ppb 21 ppb 1000 ppb 2%

Also tested, no detections: 1,1,1-Trichloroethane, 1,1,2-Trichloroethane, 1,1-Dichloroethylene, 1,2,4-Trichlorobenzene, 1,2-Dichloroethane, 1,2-Dichloropropane, 2,4,5-TP (Silvex), 2,4-D, Alachlor, Antimony, Atrazine, Benzene, Beryllium, Cadmium, Carbon tetrachloride, Chlordane, Chlorobenzene, Chromium (total), Dalapon, Dichloromethane, Dinoseb, Endrin, Ethylbenzene, Heptachlor, Heptachlor epoxide, Lindane, Mercury (inorganic), Methoxychlor, Pentachlorophenol, Picloram, Selenium, Simazine, Styrene, Tetrachloroethylene (PCE), Thallium, Toluene, Toxaphene, Trichloroethylene (TCE), Uranium, Vinyl chloride, Xylenes (total), cis-1,2-Dichloroethylene, o-Dichlorobenzene, p-Dichlorobenzene, trans-1,2-Dichloroethylene.

Reverse osmosis (drinking water)

The treatment category most often matched to dissolved contaminants like lead, arsenic, nitrate, fluoride, and radiological contaminants detected in this system.

Shop reverse osmosis →

Whole-house carbon filtration

The treatment category most often matched to disinfection byproducts (TTHMs, haloacetic acids), chlorine taste and odor, and organic compounds detected in this system.

Shop whole-house systems →

Source: U.S. EPA Six-Year Review 4 compliance monitoring data (2012–2019), the most recent nationwide compliance dataset EPA has released, reported at the water-system level. A detection is not a violation. “Avg. vs. limit” compares the average of laboratory detections to the federal MCL or action level; individual faucets can differ — household plumbing affects lead and copper, and a state-certified laboratory test of your own tap is the only way to confirm levels in your home. Treatment categories are general matches, not a certification claim for a specific product and contaminant.

Water Utility: City of Fargo
Population Served: 120,762 residents
Data Sources: EPA SDWIS + EPA UCMR5
Report Year: 2026

Fargo, North Dakota drinking water is supplied by City of Fargo. All US public water systems must test drinking water and report results to the EPA under the Safe Drinking Water Act. This report summarizes health-based violations and PFAS detections recorded in federal databases to help you make informed decisions about home water filtration.

EPA Health-Based Violation History

The following contaminants exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) at this utility since 2010:

Contaminant Violation Years Filter Solution
Bromate 2017-2018 Water Filters

Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), updated quarterly. Health-based violations only.

Should You Filter Your Fargo Water?

Even utilities with no EPA violations may have contaminants present below legal limits but above health guidelines. The EPA sets maximum contaminant levels based on what is feasible and affordable to treat at scale -- not necessarily what carries zero health risk. Many independent health organizations recommend filtration for households with children, pregnant women, or immunocompromised individuals regardless of utility compliance status.

Protect Your Fargo Home Water

PureWaterGuys.com carries filtration systems engineered to address the most common contaminants in US tap water. We ship to all North Dakota addresses with free expert guidance on the right system.

Shop Water Filtration Systems →Take the Water Quiz

Filters for Fargo, ND Water Issues

Based on contaminants detected in this report, these systems are worth considering:

⚠️
PFAS / Forever Chemicals
NSF-certified filters proven to remove PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and 200+ contaminants.
Shop PFAS / Forever Chemicals Filters →
🔬
Arsenic
Whole-house systems with certified arsenic-reduction media.
Shop Arsenic Filters →
💧
Nitrates / Nitrites
Reverse osmosis systems that reduce nitrates to safe levels.
Shop Nitrates / Nitrites Filters →
🏠
Chlorine / Disinfection Byproducts
Whole-house carbon filters that eliminate chlorine taste, odor, and DBPs.
Shop Chlorine / Disinfection Byproducts Filters →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Fargo tap water safe to drink?

City of Fargo is required to meet EPA federal drinking water standards. However, meeting legal standards is not the same as being contaminant-free. Trace levels of disinfection byproducts, PFAS compounds, and other regulated contaminants are common in US municipal water systems.

Does Fargo water have PFAS?

PFAS monitoring data for this utility may not yet be published in EPA databases. We recommend a reverse osmosis system for maximum protection regardless of local results.

What water filter works best for Fargo?

A whole-house carbon block filter removes chlorine, chloramines, and many VOCs. For PFAS, arsenic, and nitrates, a reverse osmosis under-sink system provides the highest reduction rates. Take our free 2-minute quiz to find the right system for your home and budget.

Data sourced from EPA SDWIS and UCMR5 federal databases. PureWaterGuys.com is not affiliated with any municipal water utility. Contact your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) for complete local data.

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