01The verdict: is Fort Meade water safe?
Fort Meade's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of A- (88/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 800 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
2 unresolved violations on record
EPA records show open compliance items for this system. Most are administrative, but unresolved items are worth watching.
See what was cited ↓Monitoring is on schedule
The system is meeting its EPA monitoring and reporting requirements — testing is happening when it should.
See the score ↓A flood-prone service area
7 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Fort Meade's drinking water received a grade of A- (88 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 800 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 8.0 ppb (90th percentile), which is within EPA limits but above recommended levels. This system has not yet been tested for PFAS under the EPA UCMR 5 program. The system has 67 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
Fort Meade ranks #53 out of 137 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. While lead levels are within EPA limits, they are above the recommended 5 ppb threshold that health organizations consider ideal. A point-of-use filter adds an extra layer of protection. As a small community water system, Fort Meade may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Fort Meade's water
Every contaminant flagged in Fort Meade, on one shared scale: distance to its own legal limit. The red line is the limit — anything past it is out of compliance, and the closer a bar gets, the less headroom the system has.
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. | 8.0 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile lead PF PFAS in South Dakota
Cities ranked by compounds detected Cu Copper in South Dakota
Cities ranked by 90th-percentile copper
03Fort Meade's ten-year track record
Each box is one year. A green check means no EPA violations; a numbered badge counts that year's violations — red if any were health-based, amber if they were monitoring or paperwork issues. The system has 67 violations on record, including 2 health-based violations. 2 remain unresolved.
9 of the last ten years were clean. The numbered years had EPA violations — red when any were health-based, amber when they were paperwork or missed-testing issues.
▲ Up 1 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 8 ppb (2025) — 53% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Fort Meade's water comes from
Fort Meade's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Local treatment
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
1 system
1 water system, operated under federal ownership.
800 people
Residents served across Fort Meade's service area.
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 federal ownership and serves approximately 800 people through 1 water system.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| FORT MEADE VA CENTER | SD4680002 | 800 | Surface Water |
Water bodies near Fort Meade
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Fort Meade's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Fort Meade's watershed
Outside forces that shape what reaches the treatment plant. None of these is a verdict on the tap by itself — but each adds pressure worth knowing about.
Flood & storm history
7 federal disaster declarations on record for Meade County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
Drought
Meade County is in D3 (extreme drought) per the U.S. Drought Monitor (week of Jul 2026). Drought can raise disinfection-byproduct levels and taste/odor issues as utilities draw from lower reservoirs.
06How Fort Meade compares
Scores for nearby South Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = South Dakota average (66/100)
Fort Meade scores 88/100 — above the South Dakota average of 66/100. It outscores 7 of 10 nearby cities. Full South Dakota rankings →
58.2 / 100FRapid City, SD
38.7 / 100FAberdeen, SD
41.8 / 100AWatertown, SD
91 / 100FPine Ridge, SD
43.2 / 100DBrookings, SD
46.2 / 100
Compare all cities in the county — grades, violations, and contaminant data side by side.→
07What to do at home
Steps matched to what testing actually found in Fort Meade's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
Basic carbon filter for extra protection. Lead detected at 8.0 ppb
Compare tested filters →Flush taps & check your service line
Lead leaches from pipes as water sits. Run cold water 30 seconds before drinking (especially mornings), and ask the utility whether your address still has a lead service line.
Lead risks explained →Watch for Fort Meade alerts
This area has a history of flood declarations — after severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories from the utility, and check the live alerts on this page.
All water alerts →Frequently asked questions
Is Fort Meade, SD tap water safe to drink?
Fort Meade's water quality earned a grade of A- (88/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #53 out of 137 cities tested in South Dakota.
What contaminants are in Fort Meade's water?
Lead was measured at 8.0 ppb (90th percentile). 67 violations are on record.
How is Fort Meade'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 Fort Meade?
While lead levels are within EPA limits, a filter adds extra protection. Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Fort Meade's water come from?
Fort Meade's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 800 residents.
What health violations has Fort Meade's water system had?
Fort Meade has 2 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2018. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 2 violations remain unresolved.
How does Fort Meade's water compare to other cities?
Fort Meade ranks #53 out of 137 cities in South Dakota (better than 61% of state cities) and #3708 out of 15382 cities nationally (76th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Fort Meade's small water system affect quality?
Fort Meade's system serves approximately 800 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 67 violations on record.