BISMARCK – The 2023 drinking water report recently released by the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality reviews how water suppliers throughout the state performed in complying with rules of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

There were 100 major violations among 55 of the state’s 372 community and noncommunity water systems, according to the report. Violations varied from exceeding contamination levels to public notice violations.

Most of the violations found were in the “significant monitoring/reporting” category. The EPA sets standards, methods and schedules regarding how water must be tested. If a facility or system does not meet the requirements, it is found in violation.

“As it is nationwide, North Dakota’s predominant compliance problem is ensuring that all required microbiological samples are collected. The department will continue to work with the PWSs (public water systems) in the state to improve compliance,” the report stated.

Overall, the state performed well overall, with 99% of public water systems meeting all health-based standards, according to the Department of Environment Quality.

“It’s important to understand that most violations referred to in the 2023 report have been resolved,” Greg Wavra, administrator of the department’s Drinking Water Program, said in a release. “It is a significant challenge for public water systems and states to meet the ever-increasing number of requirements of the SDWA (Safe Drinking Water Act).”