Benson reports lead, copper exceedances in 2026 water samples

The City of Benson reported that drinking-water samples collected between June and July 2026 exceeded federal action levels for both lead and copper. The results apply to the sampled homes or buildings and do not establish that every property in Benson has elevated levels.

Benson is a city in Swift County, Minnesota. According to the city’s lead and copper notice, the water system collected 20 samples during the testing period. The 90th-percentile result was 16 parts per billion for lead, above the federal action level of 15 parts per billion. The copper result was 1.7 parts per million, above the action level of 1.3 parts per million.

What the results mean

The 90th percentile is a compliance measure based on the sample results. It is the level at or below which 90% of the results fall, so it does not describe the water at every home connected to the system.

An action-level exceedance is a regulatory trigger for additional response. It is not a finding that all Benson tap water is contaminated or unsafe. The city notice identifies lead or galvanized service lines, household plumbing and fixtures as possible sources of lead and copper in sampled water.

Because plumbing conditions can differ from one property to another, the reported results are most directly tied to the locations that were sampled. Residents with questions about their own water should rely on instructions from the city and guidance from the Minnesota Department of Health rather than applying the reported results to an individual property.

What Benson plans to do next

The city says it will increase monitoring and provide broader customer education by November 30, 2026. It also plans to assess corrosion-control measures by March 31, 2027. Corrosion control is intended to reduce the amount of metal that can enter water from service lines, plumbing or fixtures.

Benson also says it intends to remove lead service lines as funding becomes available. The notice does not establish that the city has secured a specific grant, finalized a replacement schedule or set a citywide completion date.

Statewide reporting by MPR News has documented the funding challenges Minnesota communities face as they work to replace lead pipes. For Benson residents, the immediate milestones are the city’s planned education effort, continued monitoring and the corrosion-control assessment.

What residents should watch for

Residents should follow any flushing or water-use instructions issued by Benson and seek additional information from the city or the Minnesota Department of Health. The next official updates should address the city’s monitoring, public-education materials and findings from the corrosion-control assessment.

Sources

• City of Benson lead and copper action-level exceedance notice
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lead and copper sampling explanation
• Minnesota Department of Health lead and copper guidance