These Minnesota cities have the cleanest, safest drinking water based on EPA contaminant data, compliance records, and infrastructure quality. Residents in these areas enjoy some of the best tap water in the state.
The cities listed below meet or exceed all EPA water quality requirements and demonstrate consistently excellent performance in protecting public health through clean drinking water.
How the top 20 cities in Minnesota are distributed by water quality grade
Click any city to see detailed water quality report including specific contaminants, test results, and filter recommendations.
| Rank | City | Score | Grade | Population Served | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Minneapolis | 95/100 | A+ | 420,000 | View Report → |
Cities with excellent water quality typically share several common characteristics that contribute to their high scores:
Clean aquifers, reservoirs, or rivers with minimal upstream contamination from agriculture or industry.
State-of-the-art water treatment plants with advanced filtration and disinfection technology.
Regular pipe replacement, system upgrades, and proactive maintenance to prevent contamination.
Few or no violations, with consistent adherence to Safe Drinking Water Act requirements.
Even in cities with excellent water quality, some residents choose to use water filters for:
Complete water quality rankings for every city
View water quality by county in Minnesota
Contaminants found in Minnesota water
Top 50 cities nationwide
#1 city from each state
Side-by-side water quality comparison