Is Howard, SD Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 1 unresolved violation on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
83.6/100
waterverge.com Howard, SD — Water Quality Report
Howard's drinking water received a grade of B+ (83.6 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 848 residents using purchased ground 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 14 violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remains unresolved.
What to know about Howard's water
Howard ranks #86 out of 141 cities in South Dakota for water quality, placing it below average in the state.
Howard purchases its water from a regional wholesaler, meaning quality depends on both the supplier's treatment and the local distribution system's condition.
As a small community water system, Howard may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 6 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Howard, SD water safe to drink?
Howard's tap water meets most EPA standards but has areas that warrant attention. With a grade of B+ (83.6/100), some contaminant levels or compliance issues suggest that residents may benefit from additional filtration. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 848 residents using groundwater (wells).
Recent water quality updates for Howard
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Howard's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (83.6/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule.
Contaminants: Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5), TTHM.
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.
Key contaminant findings
Based on the most recent EPA sampling data for Howard's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Howard's water system has 14 total violations on record, including 0 health-based violations. 1 remain unresolved. 6 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Miner County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1984. 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 Howard's water come from?
Howard's drinking water comes from groundwater (wells), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 848 people. Groundwater is generally less susceptible to surface contamination but can contain naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate.
What Howard 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.
Howard'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
Drought conditions
D2 — severe droughtMiner 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
Miner County has experienced 8 federally declared disasters since 1984. 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 Howard compares by contaminant
Explore where Howard ranks among all South Dakota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Howard's water comes from
Howard purchases its water supply from a regional wholesale provider rather than treating raw water directly.
Water quality depends on both the wholesaler's treatment standards and the condition of Howard's local distribution pipes and storage facilities.
Purchased water systems are common in suburban areas and smaller communities that lack the infrastructure for independent treatment.
The system is operated by local government ownership and serves approximately 848 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Howard
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| HOWARD | SD4600165 | 848 | GWP |
How Howard compares
Full South Dakota rankings →Howard's score of 83.6/100 is above the average of 66/100 among major South Dakota cities. It outscores 6 of 10 nearby cities.
Nearby cities
View South Dakota rankings →About Howard, SD
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Howard's water quality findings.
Explore water quality across Miner
Frequently asked questions
Is Howard, SD tap water safe to drink?
Howard's water quality earned a grade of B+ (83.6/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #86 out of 141 cities tested in South Dakota.
What contaminants are in Howard's water?
Lead was measured at 4.0 ppb (90th percentile). 14 violations are on record.
How is Howard'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 Howard?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Howard's water come from?
Howard's water is sourced from Purchased ground water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 848 residents.
Is Howard's groundwater at risk of contamination?
Howard uses groundwater, which can be affected by naturally occurring contaminants like arsenic, radon, and nitrate, as well as agricultural runoff and industrial activity. The system has 14 violations on record that may relate to groundwater quality. Groundwater systems are generally less susceptible to surface contamination but should be monitored for emerging contaminants like PFAS.
How does Howard's water compare to other cities?
Howard ranks #86 out of 141 cities in South Dakota (better than 39% of state cities) and #6349 out of 15744 cities nationally (60th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Howard's small water system affect quality?
Howard's system serves approximately 848 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 14 violations on record.