Quick answer: Minneapolis's water is supplied by Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution Services and has a hardness level of Moderate. The primary contaminant of concern is PFAS. 3M contaminated groundwater across 150 square miles affecting 140,000 residents. $850M state settlement. For the best protection, I recommend the AquaTru reverse osmosis system ($475) or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) as a budget pick.
What's in Minneapolis's Water?
Minneapolis's drinking water comes from Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution Services, which serves the metro area's 3,700,000 residents. While the utility meets most federal EPA standards, meeting the minimum legal requirement doesn't always mean the water is as clean as you'd want for your family.
Here are the known contaminants and concerns for Minneapolis's water supply:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Water Utility | Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution Services |
| Key Contaminant | PFAS |
| Water Hardness | Moderate |
| Known Issues | PFAS from 3M manufacturing, groundwater contamination |
| EPA Status | 3M contaminated groundwater across 150 square miles affecting 140,000 residents. $850M state settlement. |
Why PFAS Matters
PFAS (forever chemicals) accumulate in the body and are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental issues in children. They do not break down naturally.
This is especially important for families with young children, pregnant women, or anyone with a compromised immune system. Children absorb contaminants at higher rates than adults, and their developing bodies are more vulnerable to the effects.
Check Your Specific Address
Water quality can vary within Minneapolis depending on which part of the distribution system serves your home, the age of your pipes, and whether you have lead service lines. I recommend two steps:
- Use our free Water Quality Lookup tool - Enter your ZIP code here to check EPA violation records for your specific area.
- Test your tap water - A home water test kit like Tap Score ($150-200) will tell you exactly what's in the water coming out of your faucet, which can be different from what the utility reports.
Best Water Filters for Minneapolis
Based on Minneapolis's specific contaminant profile, here's what I recommend:
Top Pick: AquaTru Countertop RO
The AquaTru is a countertop reverse osmosis system that removes 84 contaminants including PFAS, lead, PFAS, fluoride, and microplastics. No plumbing required.
- NSF/ANSI certified
- Removes 99.9% of PFAS
- Countertop - no installation
- $475 (filters last 6-12 months)
Budget Pick: Clearly Filtered Pitcher
The Clearly Filtered pitcher removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS and PFAS. It's the best pitcher filter I've tested.
- WQA certified for PFAS removal
- Removes 99.7% of PFAS
- No installation needed
- $90 (replacement filters ~$30 every 4 months)
Frequently Asked Questions
Minneapolis's water is supplied by Minneapolis Water Treatment & Distribution Services. 3M contaminated groundwater across 150 square miles affecting 140,000 residents. $850M state settlement. While it may meet EPA minimum standards, those standards don't cover all contaminants of concern. For families with young children, I recommend using a certified water filter as an extra layer of protection.
Known contaminants in Minneapolis's water include PFAS from 3M manufacturing, groundwater contamination. The most significant concern is PFAS. You can check your specific area using our Water Quality Lookup tool.
Based on Minneapolis's contaminant profile, I recommend reverse osmosis (like AquaTru) or an NSF P473-certified filter (like Clearly Filtered). My top pick is the AquaTru ($475) for comprehensive protection, or the Clearly Filtered pitcher ($90) for a budget option.
Minneapolis's water is classified as moderate. Moderate hardness may cause some mineral buildup over time.