Is St. Paul, MN Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Yes, St. Paul tap water is safe to drink. Hardness is low at 68 PPM, and no contaminants exceed health guidelines. Most homes here don't need treatment.
Hardness Scale: Where St. Paul Falls
0Slightly
60Moderate
120Hard
180Very Hard
250Extreme
400+
How St. Paul Compares
St. Paul's water is 51% softer than the national average of 138 PPM - ranking in the bottom 64% for hardness nationwide. Most homes here do not need a softener. Within Minnesota, it ranks #15 of 16 cities (69% below the state average of 216 PPM). Among large cities (200k-500k), St. Paul ranks #107 of 165 for hardness.
What St. Paul's Water Means for Your Home
Hardness: 68 PPM - Low Concern
St. Paul's water is moderately hard at 68 PPM. You'll see some spotting on glassware and a film on shower doors over time, but it's not the kind of hardness that demands a full softener. A salt-free conditioner is worth considering if you have a tankless water heater or high-end fixtures.
Contaminants & Safety
Lead levels deserve attention. At 8 ppb, St. Paul is above the ideal of zero, though below the EPA action level of 15 ppb (dropping to 10 ppb in November 2027 under the Lead and Copper Rule Improvements). The lead typically comes from aging service lines or interior plumbing, not the treatment plant. A point-of-use filter certified for lead at the kitchen faucet is a practical safeguard, especially in older homes.
What's in the Treatment Process
St. Paul's surface water supply requires heavy chlorination to stay safe — but that creates a tradeoff. The treatment process generates disinfection byproducts: TTHMs at 32.2 ppb (40% of the legal limit, but 214x the EWG guideline) and HAA5 at 20.7 ppb (35% of the legal limit, but 207x the EWG guideline). These are within legal limits, but the EWG sets much tighter thresholds based on cancer-risk research. A whole-house activated carbon filter reduces both chlorine and byproducts.
Chromium-6 was detected at 0.168 ppb, which is 8.4x the EWG health guideline. There's no separate federal limit for chromium-6, only total chromium. A reverse osmosis system is the most effective removal method. All measurements are within federal legal limits. The EWG guidelines represent a more conservative, health-based standard.
| Contaminant | Detected | Health Guideline | Legal Limit | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hardness (as CaCO₃) | 68 PPM | < 60 PPM | No federal limit | ✓ OK |
| Total Dissolved Solids | 136 PPM | < 300 PPM | 500 PPM | ✓ OK |
| PFAS (total) | 17.55 ppt | — | No total limit | Detected |
| ↳ PFOA | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| ↳ PFOS | 0 ppt | 0 ppt | 4 ppt (2024) | ✓ OK |
| Lead | 8 ppb | 0 ppb (no safe level) | 15 ppb (10 ppb in 2027) | ⚠ Elevated |
| Chlorine / Chloramine | 0.6 mg/L | Taste threshold ~1.0 | 4.0 mg/L | ✓ Normal |
| Nitrate | 0.333 mg/L | 5 mg/L | 10 mg/L | ✓ OK |
Recommendations for St. Paul Homes
How to Test Your Water in St. Paul
Lead enters water from your home's plumbing, not the treatment plant — so St. Paul's city-wide average of 8 ppb may not match your tap. Testing your specific faucet is the only way to know. Run cold water for 30 seconds before collecting a sample.
Free option: Request St. Paul Regional Water's annual Consumer Confidence Report for official city-level data.
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About St. Paul's Water Supply
Water Utility: St. Paul Regional Water
Water Source: Mississippi River (Surface Water)
Population Served: 392,529
Hardness: 68 PPM (4 grains per gallon)
St. Paul's drinking water comes from surface sources — Mississippi River. Surface water requires more extensive treatment than groundwater, including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection. This heavier chlorination is why disinfection byproducts tend to be higher in surface-supplied systems. On the upside, surface sources often deliver softer water than deep aquifers. The system serves 393,000 residents.
Water quality can vary by neighborhood and season. For your exact numbers, request St. Paul Regional Water's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) or test your own tap.
ZIP Codes Covered by This Report
This water quality data applies to all areas served by St. Paul Regional Water in St. Paul, MN, including ZIP codes:
55075, 55077, 55101, 55102, 55103, 55104, 55105, 55107, 55113, 55116, 55118, 55120, 55130, 55131, 55145, 55146, 55150, 55155, 55164, 55170
If your ZIP code is listed above, this report covers your water supply. Water quality may vary slightly by neighborhood.
Compare St. Paul to Other Minnesota Cities
Frequently Asked Questions About St. Paul Water
Is St. Paul tap water safe to drink?
Where does St. Paul's water come from?
Do I need a water softener in St. Paul?
What water filter is best for St. Paul?
What is the hardness of St. Paul water in grains per gallon?
Is St. Paul water safe for babies and infants?
What are disinfection byproducts in St. Paul's water?
Is chromium-6 in St. Paul's water?
Data sources: Lead and copper data from EPA Safe Drinking Water Act LCR reporting. Contaminant data from utility-reported testing results. PFAS data from EPA UCMR5 (2023–2025). Hardness from USGS and municipal reports. Data reflects system-level testing results and may not match your specific tap due to neighborhood plumbing, season, or recent utility changes. For your utility's latest results, request their Consumer Confidence Report (CCR). Our methodology. Last updated: 2026-02-24.
What St. Paul Homeowners Actually Buy
Common purchases for homes with 68 PPM water.
Affiliate disclosure: we may earn a commission. Selection based on St. Paul's water data.