What was found in Bismarck's water
The highest level seen across the city's suppliers, the EPA limit for each, and where the figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fluoride | 810 µg/L 20% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 721 µg/L 55% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate-Nitrite | 720 µg/L 7.2% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 416 µg/L 2773% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 15 µg/L | 4/5 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 142.5 µg/L 178% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 80 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Chloroform | 105.8 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Nitrate | 80 µg/L 0.8% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 79.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 3/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 67.84 µg/L 113% of the EPA limit, in the worst sample — 60 µg/L | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Cyanide | 66 µg/L 33% of the EPA limit 200 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Dichloroacetic Acid | 51.4 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Bromodichloromethane | 26.41 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 19.7 µg/L 1% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Dibromochloromethane | 13.48 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Trichloroacetic Acid | 11 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Dibromoacetic Acid | 8.68 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Monochloroacetic Acid | 7.34 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Bromate | 4.2 µg/L 42% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Bromoform | 3.57 µg/L No EPA limit set | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 2.7 µg/L 2.7% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 1.84 µg/L 6.1% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 1.73 µg/L 17% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Monobromoacetic Acid | 1.51 µg/L No EPA limit set | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 1.23 µg/L 2.5% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Combined Radium (-226 And -228) | 1.17 pCi/L 23% of the EPA limit 5 pCi/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Dichloromethane | 1.1 µg/L 22% of the EPA limit 5 µg/L | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 1.04 pCi/L 6.9% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Pentachlorophenol | 0.0300 µg/L 3% of the EPA limit 1 µg/L | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Pfba | 0.0059 µg/L No EPA limit set | 1/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Lead | 0.0028 mg/L 19% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L | 5/5 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Bismarck
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| BISMARCK CITY OF | 72,417 |
| SOUTH CENTRAL RWD NORTH BURLEIGH | 10,400 |
| SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL WATER DISTRICT | 3,700 |
| IMPERIAL VALLEY WATER CO | 345 |
| DAKOTA ADVENTIST ACADEMY | 80 |
Frequently asked questions about Bismarck tap water
Is Bismarck tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 30 contaminants in the water serving Bismarck. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Bismarck?
5 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Bismarck, North Dakota to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Bismarck's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Bismarck include Fluoride, Copper, Nitrate-Nitrite, Lead, TTHM. The full list, with the highest level found and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.