Safe, Clean, and Reliable: Winthrop’s 2024 Drinking Water Report
Every year, the City of Winthrop provides residents with a summary of the quality of our drinking water—and we’re proud to share that in 2024, Winthrop’s water again met all federal and state safety standards.
Your drinking water comes from two deep wells that tap into the Quaternary Buried Artesian aquifer, located over 300 feet underground. These wells provide a clean and dependable source of groundwater, which is tested regularly in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Health (MDH).
Highlights from the 2024 Water Quality Report:
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No violations: All tested contaminants were within safe drinking water limits.
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Lead and copper levels remained low, with no homes exceeding EPA action levels.
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Nitrate levels were safely below the maximum limit, with a high reading of 2.1 parts per million (ppm), far below the EPA limit of 10 ppm.
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Fluoride, which helps protect teeth, was present at safe levels, averaging 0.86 ppm—within the optimal range for dental health.
What’s Being Watched?
In addition to regulated substances, Winthrop tested for emerging and unregulated contaminants. These don’t currently have EPA-mandated limits, but monitoring helps public health experts stay ahead of potential risks.
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Manganese exceeded MDH’s health-based guidance value, with a maximum of 128 parts per billion (ppb). While this does not pose an immediate health risk, it may warrant extra precautions for infants and pregnant individuals.
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Sodium levels were elevated due to the natural groundwater composition and potential water softening practices.
Lead Awareness and Inventory
While lead was not found at harmful levels in any tested homes, residents are encouraged to learn more about their own plumbing and service lines. In 2024, Winthrop completed its full inventory of service line materials and submitted the results to the state. Out of 511 total lines:
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0 were made of lead
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2 were galvanized and will require replacement
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509 were confirmed non-lead materials
You can check your home’s service line status using the Lead Service Line Inventory Map.
Protecting Our Water Together
Clean water is a shared responsibility. From maintaining private plumbing to staying informed on test results, every resident plays a role in protecting this vital resource. If you have questions or want to learn how to get involved in local water decisions, contact Troy Martin, Public Works Director, at (507) 647-5306 or email: publicworks@winthropminnesota.com.
For a full report on the 2024 Consumer Confidence Report, please select think link: 2024 Winthrop’s CCR Report