Is Lower Brule, SD Tap Water Safe to Drink?
Graded B+, with 4 unresolved violations on record. See what was cited — and what it means for your tap. What to do next ↓
81/100
waterverge.com Lower Brule, SD — Water Quality Report
Lower Brule's drinking water received a grade of B+ (81 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,108 residents using surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 0.6 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 101 violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved.
What to know about Lower Brule's water
Lower Brule ranks #95 out of 141 cities in South Dakota for water quality, placing it below average 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, Lower Brule may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
The system has seen 8 violations in the past five years, suggesting a pattern of compliance challenges that residents should monitor closely.
Water quality score
See methodology →Is Lower Brule, SD water safe to drink?
Lower Brule's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of B+ (81/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 1 water system serves approximately 2,108 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
Recent water quality updates for Lower Brule
A timeline of significant water quality events, violations, and data updates.
Latest EPA compliance and testing data incorporated into Lower Brule's water quality assessment. Grade: B+ (81/100).
Contaminants: Revised Total Coliform Rule, Surface Water Treatment Rule.
Contaminants: Lead and Copper Rule.
Contaminants: Consumer Confidence Rule.
Federal disaster declaration (FEMA DR-4463). Flood event — may have impacted local water infrastructure.
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 Lower Brule's water supply.
Well within EPA limits.
Violation history
Lower Brule's water system has 101 total violations on record, including 7 health-based violations. 4 remain unresolved. 8 violations were issued in the last 5 years.
Flood & environmental risk
Lyman County has experienced 8 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 Lower Brule's water come from?
Lower Brule's drinking water comes from surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs), supplied by 1 water system serving approximately 2,108 people. Surface water sources are more susceptible to contamination from runoff, industrial discharge, and algal blooms, requiring extensive treatment.
What Lower Brule residents can do
Recommended: NSF-certified water filter. This addresses the specific contaminants found in Lower Brule's water.
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.
Lower Brule'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
Flood & disaster history
Lyman County has experienced 8 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. | 0.6 | 15 | ppb | Inorganic | Safe |
Lead level trend (90th percentile)
See how Lower Brule compares by contaminant
Explore where Lower Brule ranks among all South Dakota cities for specific contaminants.
Water source & infrastructure
Where Lower Brule's water comes from
Lower Brule'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 native american ownership and serves approximately 2,108 people through 1 water system.
Water systems serving Lower Brule
| System Name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| LOWER BRULE RURAL WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM | 084690441 | 2,108 | SW |
How Lower Brule compares
Full South Dakota rankings →Lower Brule's score of 81/100 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 →ZIP codes served by Lower Brule
The water system serving Lower Brule covers 1 ZIP code. Select any ZIP to see which water systems serve that area.
About Lower Brule, SD
Wikipedia →Lower Brule is a census-designated place (CDP) in Lyman County, South Dakota, United States. The population was 703 at the 2020 census. The community is located within the Lower Brule Indian Reservation, from which it takes its name.
Learn more about your water
Guides and resources related to Lower Brule's water quality findings.
Frequently asked questions
Is Lower Brule, SD tap water safe to drink?
Lower Brule's water quality earned a grade of B+ (81/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #95 out of 141 cities tested in South Dakota.
What contaminants are in Lower Brule's water?
Lead was measured at 0.6 ppb (90th percentile). 101 violations are on record.
How is Lower Brule'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 Lower Brule?
Based on current data, basic filtration should suffice for additional peace of mind.
Where does Lower Brule's water come from?
Lower Brule's water is sourced from Surface water. The city has 1 water system serving approximately 2,108 residents.
What health violations has Lower Brule's water system had?
Lower Brule has 7 health-based violations on record. The most recent violation was recorded in November 2025. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 4 violations remain unresolved.
How does Lower Brule's water compare to other cities?
Lower Brule ranks #95 out of 141 cities in South Dakota (better than 33% of state cities) and #7631 out of 15744 cities nationally (52th percentile). The grade of B+ reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.
Does Lower Brule's small water system affect quality?
Lower Brule's system serves approximately 2,108 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 101 violations on record.