City of Fargo Water Company

Water sources for both tap and bottled water include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs, and wells. As water travels over land surfaces or through ground layers, it dissolves naturally-occurring minerals and sometimes radioactive materials, and can pick up substances from animal presence or human activities.

To ensure safe tap water, the EPA establishes regulations limiting certain contaminant levels in public water systems. FDA regulations set similar limits for bottled water to provide equivalent public health protection. All drinking water, including bottled varieties, can reasonably be expected to contain at least minimal amounts of some contaminants, though their presence doesn't necessarily indicate a health risk.

For more information about contaminants and potential health effects, contact the EPA's Safe Water Hotline at 800-426-4791. Before distribution, City of Fargo water undergoes rigorous testing at certified laboratories for nearly 100 different contaminants, with only detected substances listed in the Monitoring Results Table.

The North Dakota Department of Health requires monitoring for certain contaminants less than annually as concentrations typically don't vary significantly year to year. Some data, while representative of water quality, may be more than one year old.

Lead and Copper Information: The Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL) for lead and copper is known as the Action Level (AL) - the concentration that triggers treatment requirements. Ninety percent of samples must test below this level. During 2017, no samples from the Fargo system exceeded action levels for lead or copper.

Elevated lead levels can cause serious health problems, particularly for pregnant women and young children. Lead in water primarily comes from materials in service lines and home plumbing. While the City of Fargo provides high-quality water, it cannot control materials used in plumbing components.

For drinking and cooking, use cold tap water. After water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using it. If concerned about lead, consider having your water tested. Information about lead in water, testing methods, and exposure reduction is available from the Safe Water Hotline or at www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

1. Where does City of Fargo water come from?
   City of Fargo supplies surface water to Fargo, North Dakota.
2. Does City of Fargo test its tap water?
   Yes. Like every public water system, City of Fargo must test its water under the federal Safe Drinking Water Act and publish an annual water quality report (Consumer Confidence Report). Ask the utility for the latest report or look for it on its website.
3. How do I contact City of Fargo?
   Call 701-241-1310 or visit 225 4th Street North, Fargo, ND 58102, or use the contact options on the utility’s website.
4. Does City of Fargo water contain lead?
   Water usually leaves the treatment plant without lead. Lead can enter tap water from older service lines, solder and brass fixtures inside homes, especially when water sits in the pipes. Run the tap before drinking if water has been sitting, and ask the utility about lead testing and service line records.
5. Is City of Fargo water hard?
   Hardness depends on the source and changes over time. The annual water quality report lists hardness, or you can test it at home. If it is above about 7 grains per gallon, a water softener sized to your measured hardness will stop scale and spotting.