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Lead Contamination

Lead in South Dakota Drinking Water

Ranked by 90th percentile lead level (ppb) · Data from EPA SDWIS & UCMR

141
Cities Tested
0
Exceeds Limit
0%
% Exceeds Limit
2.3 ppb
State Avg
▼ 2% vs national
vs National
117
Health Violations
Analysis

Lead in South Dakota: what the data shows

South Dakota has 141 cities with lead monitoring data, with no cities exceeding the EPA action level of 15 ppb. The state average 90th percentile lead level is 2.3 ppb, compared to 3.3 ppb nationally — better than the national average. No cities in South Dakota currently exceed the 15 ppb lead action level. However, even levels below the action level can pose health risks, particularly for infants and young children. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly. The 90th percentile measurement means that 90% of tap samples in a city are at or below the reported level. This is the standard EPA uses under the Lead and Copper Rule to determine if a water system needs to take corrective action. An NSF 53-certified pitcher or under-sink filter can effectively remove lead at the tap.

Comparison

Cities exceeding 15 ppb EPA Action Level

South Dakota
0%
0 of 141 cities
← ▼ 2% below national rate (better)
National avg
2%
378 of 15681 cities
City Map

Lead data across South Dakota

Each dot is a city, colored by overall water quality grade. Cities with lead levels above the 15 ppb EPA action level are highlighted. Size reflects population served.

Worst Offenders

Top 10 cities by lead level in South Dakota

Highest Lead levels (ppb)

  1. 1 B Platte 14.0 ppb 1K
  2. 2 B+ Toronto 13.0 ppb 7K
  3. 3 A- Toronto 13.0 ppb 6K
  4. 4 B Woonsocket 13.0 ppb 618
  5. 5 B Scotland 8.0 ppb 935
  6. 6 A- Centerville 8.0 ppb 918
  7. 7 A- Fort Meade 8.0 ppb 800
  8. 8 C Flandreau 7.7 ppb 3K
  9. 9 F Piedmont 7.0 ppb 5K
  10. 10 C Martin 7.0 ppb 2K
All Cities

All South Dakota cities ranked by lead level

# City Level Level Exceeds? Violations Grade
1 Platte 14.0 ppb
No 5
B
2 Toronto 13.0 ppb
No 0
B+
3 Toronto 13.0 ppb
No 0
A-
4 Woonsocket 13.0 ppb
No 6
B
5 Scotland 8.0 ppb
No 7
B
6 Centerville 8.0 ppb
No 6
A-
7 Fort Meade 8.0 ppb
No 2
A-
8 Flandreau 7.7 ppb
No 19
C
9 Piedmont 7.0 ppb
No 171
F
10 Martin 7.0 ppb
No 28
C
11 Lake Preston 7.0 ppb
No 4
B
12 Redfield 6.0 ppb
No 1
A-
13 Menno 6.0 ppb
No 0
A-
14 Sisseton 5.0 ppb
No 0
A
15 Gettysburg 5.0 ppb
No 0
A
16 Elkton 5.0 ppb
No 10
A-
17 Gayville 5.0 ppb
No 11
B-
18 Corsica 5.0 ppb
No 5
B+
19 Watertown 4.0 ppb
No 2
A
20 Watertown 4.0 ppb
No 1
A
21 Dakota Dunes 4.0 ppb
No 0
A-
22 Kimball 4.0 ppb
No 8
B
23 North Sioux City 4.0 ppb
No 0
A
24 Eagle Butte 4.0 ppb
No 15
A-
25 Howard 4.0 ppb
No 0
B+
26 Eureka 4.0 ppb
No 4
B
27 Armour 4.0 ppb
No 4
A
28 Brookings 3.0 ppb
No 11
D
29 Arlington 3.0 ppb
No 5
C
30 Winner 3.0 ppb
No 4
A
31 Canton 3.0 ppb
No 0
A+
32 Chamberlain 3.0 ppb
No 11
A-
33 Webster 3.0 ppb
No 2
A
34 Parkston 3.0 ppb
No 4
B+
35 Groton 3.0 ppb
No 0
A
36 Salem 3.0 ppb
No 5
A
37 Gregory 3.0 ppb
No 2
A
38 Estelline 3.0 ppb
No 22
A-
39 Colman 3.0 ppb
No 5
A
40 Aberdeen 2.0 ppb
No 197
F
41 Spearfish 2.0 ppb
No 166
D
42 Miller 2.0 ppb
No 34
C+
43 Box Elder 2.0 ppb
No 17
B-
44 Murdo 2.0 ppb
No 2
A-
45 Milbank 2.0 ppb
No 0
B+
46 Britton 2.0 ppb
No 37
C
47 Madison 2.0 ppb
No 9
A+
48 Winner 2.0 ppb
No 1
A+
49 Mobridge 2.0 ppb
No 3
B+
50 Volga 2.0 ppb
No 0
A
51 Fort Pierre 2.0 ppb
No 5
B+
52 Elk Point 2.0 ppb
No 1
A
53 Philip 2.0 ppb
No 24
A
54 Custer 2.0 ppb
No 0
A
55 Aurora 2.0 ppb
No 3
A
56 New Underwood 2.0 ppb
No 63
C+
57 Tyndall 2.0 ppb
No 2
A
58 Aberdeen 2.0 ppb
No 4
A
59 Viborg 2.0 ppb
No 6
B+
60 Wall 2.0 ppb
No 7
A-
61 Plankinton 2.0 ppb
No 13
A
62 Hermosa 2.0 ppb
No 9
B
63 Onida 2.0 ppb
No 16
A-
64 Canistota 2.0 ppb
No 1
A-
65 Tripp 2.0 ppb
No 3
A
66 Mclaughlin 2.0 ppb
No 0
A-
67 Kadoka 2.0 ppb
No 8
A
68 Pierre 1.4 ppb
No 8
A-
69 Sioux Falls 1.0 ppb
No 30
C-
70 Rapid City 1.0 ppb
No 349
F
71 Mitchell 1.0 ppb
No 6
A-
72 Dell Rapids 1.0 ppb
No 2
A
73 Tabor 1.0 ppb
No 3
A-
74 Tabor 1.0 ppb
No 4
A-
75 Vermillion 1.0 ppb
No 0
A
76 Brandon 1.0 ppb
No 0
A-
77 Black Hawk 1.0 ppb
No 350
D+
78 Harrisburg 1.0 ppb
No 0
A
79 Ellsworth Afb 1.0 ppb
No 4
A
80 Sturgis 1.0 ppb
No 156
D+
81 Beresford 1.0 ppb
No 19
B
82 Tea 1.0 ppb
No 1
A
83 Wakonda 1.0 ppb
No 4
B+
84 Beresford 1.0 ppb
No 7
B+
85 Belle Fourche 1.0 ppb
No 7
B
86 Parker 1.0 ppb
No 3
A-
87 Hot Springs 1.0 ppb
No 22
B-
88 Lead 1.0 ppb
No 18
B
89 Hartford 1.0 ppb
No 1
A
90 Batesland 1.0 ppb
No 21
B-
91 Lennox 1.0 ppb
No 2
A
92 Wagner 1.0 ppb
No 8
D
93 Newell 1.0 ppb
No 38
A-
94 Springfield 1.0 ppb
No 12
A-
95 Deadwood 1.0 ppb
No 84
C
96 Crooks 1.0 ppb
No 0
A
97 Freeman 1.0 ppb
No 2
A-
98 Baltic 1.0 ppb
No 1
A
99 Whitewood 1.0 ppb
No 0
B+
100 Garretson 1.0 ppb
No 54
B+
101 Faulkton 1.0 ppb
No 25
B
102 Ipswich 1.0 ppb
No 1
A-
103 Oral 1.0 ppb
No 3
A-
104 De Smet 1.0 ppb
No 6
A
105 Hill City 1.0 ppb
No 4
A-
106 Wessington Springs 1.0 ppb
No 1
B+
107 Marion 1.0 ppb
No 0
A-
108 Rapid City 1.0 ppb
No 18
C-
109 Alcester 1.0 ppb
No 0
A-
110 Rapid City 1.0 ppb
No 13
B
111 Bison 1.0 ppb
No 6
A-
112 Edgemont 1.0 ppb
No 46
D+
113 Colton 1.0 ppb
No 4
A
114 Castlewood 1.0 ppb
No 4
A-
115 Highmore 1.0 ppb
No 11
A-
116 Alexandria 1.0 ppb
No 3
B
117 Selby 1.0 ppb
No 5
B
118 Humboldt 1.0 ppb
No 5
A-
119 Burke 1.0 ppb
No 0
A
120 Lake Norden 1.0 ppb
No 1
A
121 White River 1.0 ppb
No 5
A-
122 Bridgewater 1.0 ppb
No 0
A
123 Rosebud 0.9 ppb
No 18
F
124 Lower Brule 0.6 ppb
No 7
B+
125 Mission 0.6 ppb
No 2
B+
126 Stephan 0.5 ppb
No 1
B+
127 Agency Village 0.4 ppb
No 8
B
128 Fort Thompson 0.2 ppb
No 17
C
129 Pine Ridge 0.0 ppb
No 138
F
130 Yankton 0.0 ppb
No 29
B-
131 Huron 0.0 ppb
No 9
C
132 Lake Andes 0.0 ppb
No 12
B
133 Egan 0.0 ppb
No 11
B+
134 Eagle Butte 0.0 ppb
No 18
B-
135 Clark 0.0 ppb
No 2
A-
136 Clark 0.0 ppb
No 3
B+
137 Emery 0.0 ppb
No 2
B+
138 Emery 0.0 ppb
No 0
A-
139 Lemmon 0.0 ppb
No 1
A
140 Valley Springs 0.0 ppb
No 5
A-
141 White 0.0 ppb
No 1
B+
FAQ

Frequently asked questions about lead in South Dakota

Is lead in South Dakota tap water a concern?

Currently, no cities in South Dakota exceed the 15 ppb EPA lead action level. The state average is 2.3 ppb. Even below the action level, lead poses health risks especially for children and pregnant women. If your home was built before 1986, consider testing your tap water directly.

How can I reduce lead exposure from South Dakota tap water?

Use an NSF 53-certified water filter, which is specifically certified to reduce lead. Run your cold tap for 30 seconds before drinking or cooking, especially if water has been sitting in pipes for hours. Never use hot tap water for cooking or making baby formula, as heat increases lead leaching from pipes.

Which South Dakota cities have the highest lead levels?

The cities with the highest 90th percentile lead levels in South Dakota are: Platte (14.0 ppb), Toronto (13.0 ppb), Toronto (13.0 ppb), Woonsocket (13.0 ppb), Scotland (8.0 ppb). See the full ranked table above.

More contaminants

Other contaminants in South Dakota

PFAS in South Dakota
Ranked by compounds detected
→
Copper in South Dakota
Ranked by 90th percentile level (mg/L)
→
HAA5 in South Dakota
Ranked by average concentration (µg/L)
→
Chromium-6 in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Arsenic in South Dakota
Ranked by violation count
→
Nitrate in South Dakota
Ranked by violation count
→
Strontium in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
1,4-Dioxane in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Manganese in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Vanadium in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Chlorate in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Molybdenum in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Cobalt in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
Lithium in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
NDMA in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (ng/L)
→
Perchlorate in South Dakota
Ranked by max detected (µg/L)
→
All states

Lead in drinking water by state

AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaQCRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyoming
← Lead contamination overview Explore South Dakota water quality → National Lead map →