Underwood reports safe drinking water, returns to compliance after notification violation
The city of Underwood’s 2025 Annual Drinking Water Quality Report shows the community continues to receive safe drinking water that meets state and federal standards, while also detailing a notification violation that city officials say has been corrected.
According to the report published in the July 9 edition of the Central McLean News-Journal, Underwood receives its drinking water from Lake Sakakawea through the city of Riverdale’s treatment system. The water is treated using membrane filtration and disinfected with chlorine before being delivered to customers.
The North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality has rated Underwood’s source water as “moderately susceptible” to potential contaminants, though no significant contamination sources have been identified.
The report noted routine monitoring conducted throughout the year found the city’s water met all turbidity requirements, an important measure of water clarity and filtration effectiveness. The lowest monthly percentage of samples meeting turbidity limits was 100%, and the highest single turbidity measurement recorded was 0.01 NTU.
One violation was reported during the year involving required notifications related to lead service lines.
According to the report, the city failed to submit certification to the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality verifying annual notifications had been provided to consumers with lead service lines, galvanized lines requiring replacement, or service lines of unknown material. The violation covered the period from July 2 through Aug. 13, 2025.
City officials stated the oversight did not affect water quality. The city subsequently sent the required notices to affected customers, notified state regulators and returned to compliance.
The report also highlighted new federal regulations aimed at reducing lead exposure in drinking water. Underwood has completed an inventory of its water service lines as required under revisions to the federal Lead and Copper Rule.