Minneapolis – Minnesota – Water Quality Report 2025: PFAS Testing, Infrastructure Concerns & Safety across your city
Minneapolis Water Works, established in 1867, serves nearly 500,000 residents in Minneapolis and several surrounding suburban communities. The system includes approximately 1,000 miles of water mains, a state-of-the-art ultrafiltration treatment facility, and 10 storage facilities, delivering an average of 57 million gallons daily to the greater Minneapolis area.
Minneapolis draws its drinking water exclusively from the Mississippi River, which provides a renewable but challenging source requiring advanced treatment. The city maintains comprehensive source water protection through partnerships with upstream communities and watershed organizations. Minneapolis water has consistently earned recognition for its quality and taste, winning regional and national awards for municipal water systems. The city has implemented aggressive lead service line identification and replacement programs while investing in cutting-edge treatment technologies to address emerging contaminants.
Minneapolis Water Quality: Current Status (2024-2025)
Latest Testing Results
- Lead Levels: The most recent testing period (January-December 2023) showed 90th percentile lead levels of 3.2 parts per billion (ppb), well below the EPA action level of 15 ppb, reflecting successful corrosion control treatment and ongoing lead service line replacement efforts.
- Testing Scope: Minneapolis conducts over 50,000 water quality tests annually throughout the distribution system, with enhanced monitoring for emerging contaminants and PFAS compounds.
- Compliance Status: Minneapolis water meets or exceeds all federal and state drinking water standards, maintaining full compliance with EPA and Minnesota Department of Health regulations.
Mississippi River Source
- Surface Water Intake: Primary source (100% of supply) is the Mississippi River, with intake structures located above St. Anthony Falls in north Minneapolis.
- Source Water Quality: Subject to seasonal variations in turbidity, temperature, and organic content requiring adaptive treatment strategies throughout the year.
- Watershed Protection: Collaborative programs with upstream communities and agricultural interests have improved source water quality through runoff reduction and pollution prevention initiatives.
Advanced Treatment Technology
- Ultrafiltration Plant: The Columbia Heights Membrane Filtration Plant utilizes ultrafiltration membrane technology to provide superior pathogen removal and water clarity.
- Multi-Barrier Approach: Treatment process includes coagulation, sedimentation, membrane filtration, granular activated carbon, and UV disinfection before chloramine addition.
- Enhanced Organics Removal: Granular activated carbon contactors provide effective removal of organic compounds, reducing disinfection byproducts and addressing taste and odor concerns.
Infrastructure Modernization
- Pipeline Replacement: Systematic replacement of approximately 10 miles of water mains annually, prioritizing areas with cast iron pipes installed before 1940.
- Lead Service Line Program: Comprehensive inventory completed in 2022 identified approximately 20,000 lead service lines, with replacement of 1,500 lines annually through accelerated program.
- Digital Water Management: Implementation of real-time monitoring throughout the distribution system, allowing rapid response to water quality changes and potential contamination events.
Customer Protection Initiatives
Minneapolis provides extensive water quality resources including free lead testing kits, water efficiency assistance, and payment programs for low-income residents. The city’s Lead Service Line Replacement program offers cost-sharing options and complete replacement for qualified households. Educational initiatives include school outreach programs and multilingual water quality materials reflecting the city’s diverse population. Minneapolis has established an Environmental Justice Framework that prioritizes water infrastructure improvements in historically underserved communities while maintaining transparent, accessible reporting of water quality data. The city’s forward-thinking approach to water management combines technological innovation with community engagement to ensure safe, high-quality water for all residents.
Recommendations for Minneapolis Residents
Request Free Water Testing
Order a free water testing kit by calling 311 or visiting minneapolismn.gov/water. Testing is recommended for all homes built before 1986, especially those with original plumbing.
Check Lead Service Line Status
Verify if your home has a lead service line through the city’s online database at minneapolismn.gov/leadpipes or call 612-673-5600 to schedule a free inspection and learn about replacement assistance.
Use Appropriate Filtration
If you have lead plumbing or are concerned about water quality, use NSF-certified filters (Standard 53 for lead removal). Eligible residents can receive free filters through the city’s Water Quality Protection Program.
Follow Smart Water Practices
Run cold water for 2-3 minutes after long periods of non-use (overnight, workday). Never use hot water directly from the tap for drinking, cooking, or infant formula as it can contain higher levels of metals from your plumbing.
Stay Informed
Sign up for water quality alerts through the Minneapolis Water Quality Notification System. Report water quality concerns immediately by calling the 24-hour water quality hotline at 612-673-2456.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Minneapolis tap water safe to drink?
Yes, Minneapolis tap water consistently meets or exceeds all federal and state safety standards. The city uses a multi-barrier treatment approach including ultrafiltration membranes that provide superior removal of pathogens and contaminants.
The water treatment facility continuously monitors water quality with automated systems that can detect changes in source water and adjust treatment accordingly. 90th percentile lead levels are 3.2 ppb, well below the EPA action level. The city utilizes optimized corrosion control to minimize lead exposure from service lines and home plumbing.
Residents in homes built before 1986 should consider testing for lead as a precaution, as older plumbing fixtures may contain lead-based materials.
How do I know if my home has a lead service line?
Minneapolis has completed a comprehensive inventory of all service lines in the city. You can check your home’s status through:
1. Visit minneapolismn.gov/leadpipes and enter your address in the search tool
2. Call 612-673-5600 to request service line information
3. Examine your service line yourself – lead pipes are soft, dull gray in color, and will not attract a magnet
If you have a lead service line, you may qualify for the city’s replacement program which covers 50-100% of replacement costs based on income eligibility. Homes built before 1930 are most likely to have lead service lines, though some were installed through the early 1950s in Minneapolis.
Why does Minneapolis use ultrafiltration treatment?
Minneapolis installed ultrafiltration membrane technology in 2005 to address several water quality challenges unique to the Mississippi River source:
• Superior pathogen removal: Ultrafiltration membranes physically filter out Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and other pathogens that are resistant to chemical disinfection
• Handling source water variability: The Mississippi River experiences significant seasonal changes in turbidity, temperature, and organic content
• Reduced chemical usage: Physical filtration reduces the need for chemical treatment, resulting in fewer disinfection byproducts
• Enhanced clarity: Membranes produce consistently clear water regardless of source water conditions
When combined with granular activated carbon and UV disinfection, this multi-barrier approach addresses a wide range of contaminants including emerging concerns like PFAS compounds.
Are there water restrictions in Minneapolis?
Minneapolis maintains year-round water conservation measures and may implement additional restrictions during drought conditions:
Standard Conservation Measures:
• Even-odd watering schedule (water on even days if your address ends in even number, odd days for odd-numbered addresses)
• No lawn watering between 12 PM and 6 PM
• Smart irrigation controller rebate program
Drought Response (when activated):
• Reduction in lawn watering days
• Prohibition of certain non-essential water uses
• Commercial use restrictions
Current water restrictions and conservation status are available at minneapolismn.gov/water or by calling 311. The Mississippi River’s abundant flow generally provides sufficient supply except during severe drought conditions.
Contaminants of Concern
Lead
Source: Lead service lines and older household plumbing; Minneapolis has approximately 20,000 remaining lead service lines scheduled for replacement by 2032
Health Effects: Developmental delays in children, reduced IQ, learning difficulties, cardiovascular and kidney problems in adults
Current Levels: 90th percentile value of 3.2 ppb, well below EPA action level EPA Limit: Action level 15 ppb, though no lead level is considered completely safe
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
Source: Industrial discharges, firefighting foam, and consumer products that contaminate surface water
Health Effects: Potential increased cholesterol levels, changes in liver enzymes, decreased vaccine response in children, increased risk of certain cancers with high exposure
Current Status: Minneapolis water tests below the 2023 EPA Health Advisory Levels; the city’s granular activated carbon treatment is effective at removing many PFAS compounds
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