Is Armour, SD Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded A, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
90.7/100
waterverge.com Armour, SD — Water Quality Report
Armour's drinking water received a grade of A (90.7 out of 100), indicating excellent water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 698 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile), well within EPA limits. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program.
The system has 6 violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Armour's water
Armour ranks #37 out of 141 cities in South Dakota for water quality, placing it mid-range in the state.
The city draws from surface water sources, which are more susceptible to seasonal runoff and agricultural contamination, requiring extensive multi-barrier treatment including coagulation, filtration, and disinfection.
As a small community water system, Armour may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Armour, SD water safe to drink?
Armour's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A (90.7/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 698 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Armour
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Armour's water quality assessment. Grade: A (90.7/100).
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4807). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4440). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
1 health-based. Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Armour's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Armour's water system has 6 total violations on record, including 4 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 1 violation was issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Douglas County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1986. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm water treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and introduce agricultural runoff, bacteria, and sediment into drinking water supplies.
Where does Armour's water come from?
Armour's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 698 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Armour residents can do
Your water utility is required to publish an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) with detailed testing results. Ask for the latest copy or check your utility's website.
Run cold water for 30 seconds before drinking, especially in the morning. Lead and copper leach from household plumbing when water sits in pipes.
Armour's area has a history of flooding. After severe weather, watch for boil water advisories from your local utility.
Data: EPA SDWIS, UCMR 5 (PFAS), FEMA, NOAA. Last updated May 2026.
Top contaminants to know
View all ↓Violation summary
Violations & advisories
Top industrial polluters within 10 miles of Armour
Industrial polluters nearby
Reported releases to surface water by facilities near Armour, ranked by pounds discharged annually.
| Facility | Top chemical | To surface water (lbs/yr) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|
DAKOTA MFG CO INC CORSICA, SD57328 | — | — | 7.3 mi |
CHS FARMERS ALLIANCE - CORSICA FEED CORSICA, SD57328 | — | — | 7.8 mi |
Source: EPA Toxic Release Inventory (TRI) 2023
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtDouglas County is currently in D2 (severe drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of May 5, 2026). Drought can elevate disinfection-byproduct (TTHM/HAA5) levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
Source: U.S. Drought Monitor, updated weekly by NDMC, USDA, and NOAA.
Flood & disaster history
Douglas County has experienced 7 federally declared disasters since 1986. Flooding and severe weather can compromise water treatment infrastructure and introduce contaminants into drinking water supplies.
Full contaminants report
| Contaminant | Detected Level | EPA Limit | Unit | Category | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lead (90th percentile) LeadHeavy Metal A toxic heavy metal that can leach into drinking water from older pipes, solder, and fixtures. No amount of lead in water is considered safe. Health EffectsBrain and nervous system damage in children, kidney damage, high blood pressure, and reproductive problems in adults. EPA Limit15 ppb action level Common SourcesCorrosion of lead pipes, lead solder, brass faucets, and household plumbing. | 4.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Armour compares by contaminant
Explore where Armour ranks among all South Dakota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Armour's water comes from
Armour's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface water systems require multi-stage treatment including coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA Safe Drinking Water Act standards.
These sources can be impacted by seasonal changes, stormwater runoff, upstream agriculture, and industrial discharge.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 698 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Armour
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| ARMOUR | SD4600028 | 698 | SWP |
How Armour compares
Full South Dakota rankings →Armour's score of 90.7/100 is above the average of 66/100 among major South Dakota cities. It outscores 8 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View South Dakota rankings →About Armour, SD
Wikipedia →Armour is a city in and the county seat of Douglas County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 698 at the 2020 census.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Armour's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Douglas
Frequently asked questions
Is Armour, SD tap water safe to drink?
Armour's water quality earned a grade of A (90.7/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #37 out of 141 cities tested in South Dakota.
What contaminants are in Armour's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 6 violations are on record.
How is Armour's water quality grade calculated?
The grade is based on four factors: violation history (40%), lead and copper levels (25%), PFAS contamination (25%), and regulatory compliance (10%). The score is also adjusted based on how complete the available data is. See our methodology page for full details.
Do I need a water filter in Armour?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Armour's water come from?
Armour's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 698 residents.
What health violations has Armour's water system had?
Armour has 4 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in April 2022. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 1 violation remains unresolved.
How does Armour's water compare to other cities?
Armour ranks #37 out of 141 cities in South Dakota (better than 74% of state cities) and #2104 out of 15744 cities nationally (87th percentile). The grade of A reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Armour's small water system affect quality?
Armour's system serves approximately 698 residents. Small community water systems (under 3,300 people) may have fewer financial resources for infrastructure upgrades and advanced treatment technologies. However, they are held to the same EPA drinking water standards as larger systems. This system has 6 violations on record.