Overview

Minneapolis tap water is safe to drink. It is:

• Affordable
• Healthy
• Refreshing

Minneapolis tap water is safe to drink

• The City adds a small amount of a chemical called orthophosphate to our water to prevent lead from getting into the drinking water.
• You can always request a free lead testing kit if you're concerned about lead in your water.

Request a free lead testing kit

Water is best for kids and teens playing sports

• The average kid or teen playing sports does not need to rehydrate with:
  • Sports drinks
  • Juice
  • Energy drinks
• These drinks are often full of added sugars, extra calories and other unnecessary additives.

Tap water is the healthiest choice for hydration

• Bottled alkaline water is often marketed as a healthier option than plain tap water. There is no scientific evidence backing up this claim.
• The City controls the pH of our tap water. The normal pH of our tap water is 9 which is slightly alkaline.

Fluoride in tap water helps promote good oral health

• A small amount of fluoride is added to Minneapolis tap water as required by Minnesota state law. This amount is the equivalent to one drop in an Olympic size swimming pool.
• The low level of fluoride in drinking water is not harmful to your health. In fact, it helps prevent tooth decay, which is especially important in young children.

You do not need to filter Minneapolis tap water at home

• The City's normal filtration process removes anything harmful from the drinking water before it reaches your home.
• You do not need to use a water filter to drink safe water in Minneapolis. In fact, personal water filters can easily become contaminated with bacteria if they are not changed frequently.

You can trust the safety and quality of your water

• Your water is safe to drink even if you notice occasional temporary changes to how it looks, tastes, and smells.
• If you have any concerns about your water quality, call 311 to help troubleshoot and find out how to get more information.