Public water system · MN1620038
ActiveGem Lake
At a glance
Gem Lake (PWSID MN1620038) is an active community water system in Ramsey County, Minnesota. It reports serving 60 people through 30 service connections. Its primary water source is purchased groundwater, and EPA lists it as owned by a local government. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act records list no violations for this system.
Dataset updated . Source: EPA SDWIS/ECHO public records.
Population served
60
Service connections
30
Primary source
GWP
Purchased groundwater
System type
CWS
Community water system
System record
How does Gem Lake compare with other water systems in Ramsey County?
By EPA's size categories, Gem Lake is a very small system (500 people or fewer). Ramsey County has 42 active public water systems. Its population served is well below the county average of 13,771 people per system, and accounts for less than 0.1% of the 578,396 people reported by systems filed under the county. Across Minnesota, the 6,465 active systems average 820 people each. Nationally, the average active community water system reports serving 6,703 people, so Gem Lake is well below that figure.
What does “community water system” mean?
A community water system serves at least 15 connections used by year-round residents, or regularly serves at least 25 year-round residents. Homes, apartments and mobile-home parks are served by these. Minnesota has 987 active community water systems, 15% of the state's 6,465 active systems. Purchased groundwater means the system buys groundwater from another public water system rather than drawing its own. 89 Minnesota systems (1.4%) list purchased groundwater as their primary source.
Who owns and regulates Gem Lake?
EPA lists Gem Lake as owned by a local government. The MN state drinking water program is its primacy agency, the regulator with primary enforcement responsibility for the system under the Safe Drinking Water Act. 14 of the 42 active systems in Ramsey County (33%) are also owned by a local government.
Does Gem Lake have drinking water violations?
No SDWA violations on record.
EPA's SDWA violation and enforcement data (via EPA ECHO, updated quarterly) lists no violations for Gem Lake. For the latest compliance status, check EPA ECHO for current compliance history.
Gem Lake: frequently asked questions
Who runs Gem Lake?
Gem Lake (PWSID MN1620038) is a community water system owned by a local government. It is regulated by the MN state drinking water program.
How many people does Gem Lake serve?
Gem Lake reports serving 60 people through 30 service connections in Ramsey County, Minnesota.
Where does Gem Lake get its water?
EPA SDWIS lists this system's primary water source as purchased groundwater. Purchased groundwater means the system buys groundwater from another public water system rather than drawing its own.
Does Gem Lake have any drinking water violations?
EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act records list no violations for this system.
Is Gem Lake's water safe to drink?
AquaCensus shows EPA compliance records, not current water test results, so it cannot say whether the water is safe at a given moment. EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act records list no violations for this system. For current results, consult the system's annual water quality report, EPA ECHO, or the MN state drinking water program.
Where can I find Gem Lake's water quality report?
As a community water system, Gem Lake must deliver an annual water quality report, called a Consumer Confidence Report, to its customers by July 1 each year, covering the previous calendar year. The system can provide a copy on request.
Other water systems in Ramsey County
| Water system | County | Population served | Type | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saint Paul Regional Water Services | Ramsey | 392,529 | Community | Surface water |
| Roseville | Ramsey | 35,343 | Community | Purchased surface water |
| Shoreview | Ramsey | 26,000 | Community | Groundwater |
| White Bear Lake | Ramsey | 25,634 | Community | Groundwater |
| New Brighton | Ramsey | 22,902 | Community | Groundwater |
| Mounds View | Ramsey | 13,250 | Community | Groundwater |
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About this data
Source: U.S. EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) and SDWA violation records, via EPA ECHO, as published October 1, 2026 — AquaCensus refreshes it quarterly. See the methodology for how records are matched, cleaned and scored.
Cite as: AquaCensus, “Gem Lake, PWSID MN1620038, Minnesota”, https://aquacensus.com/water-systems/minnesota/gem-lake-mn1620038 (data as of October 1, 2026).