Tap water and drinking water quality in Fargo, ND

WATER QUALITY REPORT

Fargo, ND tap water: what’s in it in 2026

Q: Is Fargo tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Fargo earns Water Safety Grade A- (80/88) on WaterCheckup - Nitrates Flagged. EPA compliance does not mean contaminant-free; sensitive households should still consider NSF-certified filtration.

Q: Does Fargo water have PFAS?

EPA UCMR5 monitoring for Fargo (PWSID ND1800410) is on this page. Check the table below for the latest UCMR5 snapshot. Only reverse osmosis (NSF 58) or NSF P473-certified filters reliably remove PFAS; standard pitchers do not.

Q: Does Fargo water have lead?

Lead usually comes from service lines and building plumbing in Fargo, not the treatment plant. Pre-1986 homes are highest risk. NSF 53-certified pitchers or reverse osmosis remove lead at the tap.

Q: What water filter is best for Fargo?

For Fargo's profile (Nitrates Flagged), reverse osmosis covers PFAS, lead, and disinfection byproducts. Renters can use a countertop RO; homeowners often choose under-sink NSF 58 systems ranked on this page.

Reviewed by Joe Letorney, 30-year water treatment expert · Former WQA Certified Water Treatment Specialist (CWS), Level VI

See best water filters for lead removal and what filters remove PFAS.

Serving 125K residents via Fargo Public Works Water Department · Fargo, ND drinking water is supplied by Fargo Public Works Water Department. EPA and public water system monitoring commonly focus on issues such as Nitrates from Red River Valley agriculture, Disinfection byproducts, Hard water. Finished water chemistry is only half the story: building plumbing, meters, and premise piping can add lead, copper, or particulates after the public water system meets treatment goals at the plant fence. Compare public water system-wide themes with ZIP-level monitoring and your annual Consumer Confidence Report for the service area that includes your home.

Check water hardness in Fargo →

Nitrates from Red River Valley agricultureDisinfection byproductsHard water

80/ 88

WATERCHECKUP SAFETY SCORE

Grade: A-

Good

WaterCheckup Safety Score — an independent index from EPA public data and our formula. Not your utility’s official water quality rating, an EPA compliance grade, or a test of water at your tap. How we score →

Same score for your ZIP — look up your ZIP for the full contaminant report

✅

GENERALLY OK

Based on water safety score

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FARGO WATER

Fargo water currently shows no major violations in EPA monitoring data. That said, your home's internal plumbing can add lead or other contaminants after water leaves the treatment plant — especially in homes built before 1986.

⚠Nitrates from Red River Valley agriculture

⚠Disinfection byproducts

⚠Hard water

Public water systems in North Dakota

1,641

EPA PWSID (this report)

ND0900336

TTHMs (utility avg.)

10.3 ppb

HAA5 (utility avg.)

6.48 ppb

Browse North Dakota utilities →

LEGAL DOES NOT ALWAYS MEAN SAFE

Fargowater may meet federal EPA limits while still showing contaminants above independent health guidelines (EWG, state advisories). EPA MCLs are often set on treatment feasibility — not a "zero risk" threshold. Compare levels below to health guidelines and state/U.S. utility averages, then see which filter technologies address your profile.

CONTAMINANTS IN FARGO WATER

EPA UCMR5 PFAS plus utility/EWG averages from our contaminant bundle. Run a ZIP report for live SDWIS samples at your address.

Bromide

122.2 ppbLower concern

This utility

122

U.S. avg

75.6

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 75.61 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Lithium

28.8 ppbLower concern

This utility

28.8

U.S. avg

23.4

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 23.44 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Haloacetic Acids (HAA9)

14.5 ppbLower concern

This utility

14.5

U.S. avg

23.6

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 23.64 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

10.3 ppb (EPA limit 80 ppb)68.7× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

10.3

U.S. avg

31.0

EWG health guideline: 0.15 ppb

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 30.97 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

6.48 ppb (EPA limit 60 ppb)108× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

6.48

U.S. avg

21.6

EWG health guideline: 0.06 ppb (HAA5)

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 21.57 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Chloroform

6.45 ppbLower concern

This utility

6.45

U.S. avg

17.8

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 17.82 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Dichloroacetic Acid

5.27 ppb26.3× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

5.27

U.S. avg

8.88

EWG health guideline: 0.2 ppb

Disinfection byproduct linked to bladder cancer and possible reproductive effects.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Molybdenum

2.8 ppbLower concern

This utility

2.80

U.S. avg

2.35

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 2.35 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Bromodichloromethane

2.54 ppb42.3× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

2.54

U.S. avg

6.47

EWG health guideline: 0.06 ppb

THM component linked to cancer and reproductive harm with long-term exposure.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Dibromochloromethane

1.13 ppb11.3× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

1.13

U.S. avg

4.14

EWG health guideline: 0.1 ppb

THM component linked to cancer and harm to fetal development.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Vanadium

0.86 ppbLower concern

This utility

0.86

U.S. avg

2.40

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 2.40 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Bromate

0.74 ppb (EPA limit 10 ppb)Lower concern

This utility

0.74

U.S. avg

1.64

Probable human carcinogen. Kidney toxicity at high exposure.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Chromium-6

0.69 ppb34.5× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

0.69

U.S. avg

0.54

EWG health guideline: 0.02 ppb (chromium-6)

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.54 ppb

Removes with: RO

Trichloroacetic Acid

0.66 ppb1.6× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

0.66

U.S. avg

7.02

EWG health guideline: 0.4 ppb

Disinfection byproduct linked to bladder cancer and developmental effects at high exposure.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Manganese

0.65 ppbLower concern

This utility

0.65

U.S. avg

5.69

EWG health guideline: 100 ppb

Long-term exposure at high levels may affect the nervous system. Staining and taste issues at lower levels.

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Dibromoacetic Acid

0.3 ppb5× health guidelineLower concern

This utility

0.30

U.S. avg

1.53

EWG health guideline: 0.06 ppb

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 1.53 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Monochloroacetic Acid

0.25 ppbLower concern

This utility

0.25

U.S. avg

0.72

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.72 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

Strontium

0.19 ppbLower concern

This utility

0.19

U.S. avg

0.60

EWG Tap Water Atlas utility average (2021–2023) · U.S. utility avg (EWG Atlas sample): 0.60 ppb

Removes with: RO · Carbon

U.S. and state averages from EWG Tap Water Atlas utilities in our database. For your exact tap, use a ZIP report — home plumbing can differ from utility averages.

Fargo draws from the Red River of the North -- receiving heavy agricultural runoff from Minnesota and North Dakota.

Nitrate contamination from the Red River Valley is a persistent concern in Fargo water.

Fargo water is moderately hard -- TDS and scale issues are common.

Certified carbon block or RO filtration addresses nitrates and DBPs for Fargo residents.

PFAS TESTING DATA — EPA UCMR5

Testing period 2023–2025 · Last updated Q1 2026

✅

NO PFAS DETECTED

All 29 PFAS compounds tested below detection limits

Water Hardness (from UCMR5): 40 mg/L as CaCO₃ — Relatively soft

Source: EPA UCMR5 national monitoring dataset · Testing period 2023–2025 · MCL = Maximum Contaminant Level (legally enforceable limit) · Health limit = EPA health advisory threshold

🔔 Get alerts if Fargo's water data changes:

WHICH FILTER TECHNOLOGY WORKS FOR FARGO?

Reference matrix — not specific brands. NSF-certified carbon blocks, reverse osmosis (NSF 58), and ion-exchange softeners address different contaminants. Product picks below match this profile.

Contaminant

Carbon

Ion exch.

Total Trihalomethanes (TTHMs)

✓

—

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5)

✓

—

Dichloroacetic Acid

✓

—

Bromodichloromethane

✓

—

Dibromochloromethane

✓

—

Chromium-6

—

✓

—

Trichloroacetic Acid

✓

—

Dibromoacetic Acid

✓

—

TEST YOUR TAP OR FILTER NOW?

Fargoutility data is a strong baseline — but lead often comes from your home's pipes, and PFAS can vary by neighborhood. Choose certified lab testing for certainty, or skip straight to NSF-certified filters matched to this profile.

STEP 1 · VERIFY AT YOUR FAUCET

Test before you buy a $300+ filter

SimpleLab Tap Score mail-in panels test PFAS, lead, nitrates, bacteria, and 100+ contaminants at your kitchen tap. Results in about a week — then pick filtration with real numbers, not guesses.

Tap Score City Test — from $89 →

Accredited labs · Best if you have old plumbing, pregnancy, or want proof before installing RO

STEP 2 · FIX IT NOW

Ready to filter based on this report?

Get NSF 58 / NSF 53 picks matched to Fargo's PFAS, lead, and disinfection byproduct profile — reviewed by a 30-year water treatment expert.

Take the 3-question filter quiz →

Best when contaminants are already flagged above and you want the right RO or pitcher today

Clean water splash — certified water filter recommendations

WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT

Based on Fargo's water profile above, here's the exact system we recommend — and why it's right for this water supply specifically.

TOP PICKS FOR FARGO

⚠ Contaminants detected in local water

Aquasana SmartFlow RO

MOST CERTIFIED

Aquasana · ~$449

WQA Gold Seal + NSF 42/53/58/401. Most certifications of any under-sink RO. Removes 90+ contaminants.

WHY THIS FOR FARGO · Chosen for Fargo because elevated disinfection byproducts (THMs/HAAs) are the primary documented concern — RO removes them more completely than carbon filtration alone.

Amazon →

AquaTru Under-Sink RO

EASIEST FILTER CHANGE

AquaTru · ~$375

NSF 42/53/58 certified. Quick-change filters, no tools. Compact tankless design, 4-stage filtration.

Amazon →

Not sure which filter is right for you? Take the 3-question quiz →

WATER SYSTEM -- EPA SDWIS

System Name

Fargo Public Works Water Department

EPA PWSID

ND0900336

Population Served

125K

State

COMMON QUESTIONS

Is Fargo tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Fargo water meets EPA legal standards, but meeting legal standards is not the same as being free of health concerns. EPA limits are set based on treatment feasibility, not always on what independent scientists consider safe. The main concerns for Fargo residents are nitrates from red river valley agriculture and disinfection byproducts. Enter your ZIP above to see the full violation history for your specific water system.

Does Fargo water have PFAS?

EPA UCMR5 monitoring data for Fargo (water system ND1800410) is shown above. PFAS — sometimes called "forever chemicals" — are synthetic compounds that don't break down in the body. Only reverse osmosis systems or NSF 58-certified carbon block filters reliably remove PFAS from tap water. Standard pitcher filters do not remove PFAS.

Does Fargo water have lead?

Lead in tap water almost always comes from the pipes inside your home or building, not the treatment plant. Homes built before 1986 in Fargo are most at risk because they may have lead solder, brass fittings, or lead service lines. The EPA has no safe level for lead in children. An NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter or reverse osmosis system removes lead at the tap.

What water filter is best for Fargo?

For Fargo's water profile — nitrates from red river valley agriculture, disinfection byproducts — a reverse osmosis system addresses the widest range of contaminants. Under-sink RO (Waterdrop G3P600, Aquasana SmartFlow) is the gold standard for homeowners. Renters can use a countertop RO like the Waterdrop K19-S Countertop RO — zero installation required. Clearly Filtered pitchers are the best non-RO option for PFAS and lead.

How do I get my Fargo water tested?

For the most accurate results for your specific tap, use a certified mail-in lab test rather than relying on city-wide data. SimpleLab Tap Score tests for 100+ contaminants including PFAS, lead, arsenic, and nitrates. Results come with a detailed health assessment and filter recommendations. City-wide EPA data like what you see above is a strong baseline, but your home's plumbing can add contaminants after the water leaves the treatment plant.

LEAD SERVICE LINE RISK

Does your street have lead pipes?

As of October 2024, all US public water systems must publish a public inventory of their lead service lines — the pipes connecting the water main to your home. Even if your public water system water tests clean at the treatment plant, lead can leach from these pipes into your tap. Homes built before 1986 are most at risk.

EPA Official Service Line Inventory →

Federal LCRR inventory data for Fargo Public Works Water Department · PWSID ND1800410

💡 Homes built before 1986 may have lead solder or service lines. A filter certified NSF/ANSI 53 removes lead at the tap regardless of pipe material.

STAY INFORMED

Get Fargo water alerts

We'll notify you when new PFAS data, EPA violations, or contamination alerts drop for Fargo. One email, no spam, unsubscribe any time.

Check your specific address

City-wide data is just the start. Enter your ZIP to see your exact water system's EPA report, PFAS levels, and violation history — then get the right filter for your home.

Fix My Water — Free →