01The verdict: is Redfield water safe?
Redfield's drinking water has significant quality concerns based on EPA testing data. With a grade of A- (87.4/100), the system has issues across multiple categories. A water filter is recommended for all residents. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,413 residents using surface water (rivers, lakes, or reservoirs).
5 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 ↓Top half in South Dakota
Redfield ranks #59 of 137 graded South Dakota cities.
See the comparison ↓A flood-prone service area
10 federal disaster declarations on record. After severe weather, watch for boil-water advisories.
See the risk factors ↓Redfield's drinking water received a grade of A- (87.4 out of 100), indicating good water quality. The city's 2 water systems serve approximately 2,413 residents using purchased surface water.
Lead levels were measured at 6.0 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 15 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved.
Redfield ranks #59 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, Redfield may have fewer resources for advanced treatment technologies and infrastructure upgrades compared to larger utilities.
02What's in Redfield's water
Every contaminant flagged in Redfield, 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. | 6.0 | 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
03Redfield'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 15 violations on record, including 1 health-based violation. 5 remain unresolved.
All ten of the last ten years were clean — no EPA violations recorded for Redfield.
▼ Down 18 ppb since 1993. Latest reading: 6 ppb (2024) — 40% of the action level. Sampled at higher-risk homes (90th percentile).
04Where Redfield's water comes from
Redfield's drinking water comes primarily from surface water sources such as rivers, lakes, or reservoirs.
Purchased Surface Water
Rivers, lakes, or reservoirs — more exposed to runoff, agriculture, and seasonal swings than groundwater.
Wholesale supplier
Multi-barrier treatment: coagulation, sedimentation, filtration, and disinfection to meet EPA standards.
2 systems
2 water systems, operated under local government ownership.
2,413 people
Residents served across Redfield'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 local government ownership and serves approximately 2,413 people through 2 water systems.
| System name | PWSID | Population | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| REDFIELD | SD4600277 | 2,214 | Purchased Surface Water |
| MELLETTE | SD4600204 | 199 | Purchased Surface Water |
Water bodies near Redfield
As a surface-water system, these water bodies may directly influence Redfield's drinking water supply.
05Pressure on Redfield'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.
Industrial discharge
1 facility within 10 miles reported 0 lb released to surface water in the latest EPA Toxics Release Inventory. Proximity doesn't equal tap contamination — treatment and hydrology decide — but it's pressure on the watershed.
Flood & storm history
10 federal disaster declarations on record for Spink County. Flooding and severe storms can overwhelm treatment plants, cause sewage overflows, and push runoff into supplies.
06How Redfield compares
Scores for nearby South Dakota cities on one line, with the average marked.
dashed line = South Dakota average (66/100)
Redfield scores 87.4/100 — 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 Redfield's water — not generic advice.
Filter drinking & cooking water
NSF-certified water filter. Lead detected at 6.0 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 Redfield 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 Redfield, SD tap water safe to drink?
Redfield's water quality earned a grade of A- (87.4/100). The water generally meets EPA standards and is considered safe for consumption. The city ranks #59 out of 137 cities tested in South Dakota.
What contaminants are in Redfield's water?
Lead was measured at 6.0 ppb (90th percentile). 15 violations are on record.
How is Redfield'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 Redfield?
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 Redfield's water come from?
Redfield's water is sourced from Purchased surface water. The city has 2 water systems serving approximately 2,413 residents.
What health violations has Redfield's water system had?
Redfield has 1 health-based violation on record. The most recent violation was recorded in August 2009. Health-based violations mean the water exceeded EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) for a regulated substance. 5 violations remain unresolved.
How does Redfield's water compare to other cities?
Redfield ranks #59 out of 137 cities in South Dakota (better than 57% of state cities) and #4043 out of 15382 cities nationally (74th percentile). The grade of A- reflects the combined assessment of violation history, lead and copper levels, PFAS contamination, and regulatory compliance.