Gettysburg, SD: High Radon Risk — 66/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Gettysburg's water quality grade in SD reflects a middle-ground assessment — service areas range from fully compliant to violation-flagged in current EPA records.
How Gettysburg Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Gettysburg Water
- Average lead level: 0.005 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 67% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.99 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Gettysburg
Federal records list 3 water systems tied to Gettysburg, SD. Of those, 3 are the primary providers, meaning service conditions, rate structures, and compliance histories can differ depending on where a property sits.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Gettysburg, South Dakota (population ~1,963), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 33,745 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Gettysburg — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Gettysburg: C (66/100)
The score combines three factors:
| Factor | What It Measures |
|---|---|
| Water Quality | EPA violations and compliance history |
| Lead Levels | 90th percentile lead concentration vs EPA action level |
| Radon Risk | EPA radon zone classification |
Water Sources
Gettysburg water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0050 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High Risk)
The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.
Areas with No Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | System | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57442 | C | Web Water Development Association | 20,750 |
All ZIP Codes in Gettysburg
- 57442 [C]
Data Sources
- Water quality: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
- Lead/copper: EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data
- Radon: EPA Map of Radon Zones
Updated daily.
Health Outcomes in Gettysburg
Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.
Compared to National Average
Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national
Housing & Infrastructure in Gettysburg
With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. The EPA banned lead solder in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).
Housing Age Profile
Pre-1986 plumbing is not a rare legacy case in Gettysburg — it's the dominant profile. The median build year of 1975 indicates a housing stock where lead-soldered copper joints are a common structural feature of residences across the city.
Over half of homes in Gettysburg were built before 1986, when lead solder was banned. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.
Cost Context: What Remediation Means for Gettysburg Homeowners
At current valuations, Gettysburg sits in the low remediation-share tier — the equity impact of fixing documented issues is proportionally minor.
Remediation costs in Gettysburg are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% below the South Dakota average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Gettysburg
Why children are most at risk: The CDC states there is no safe level of lead exposure for children. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.
Older interior plumbing shapes the local picture: 67% of Gettysburg homes predate the federal solder ban, and aggregate sampling either approaches or crosses the action benchmark. That mix makes a single-home draw a standard pre-purchase or pre-occupancy step.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Gettysburg
- Test your water at home. City-level data shows averages — your tap may differ. NSF-certified test kits cost $20-40 and give results in days.
- Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 67% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Gettysburg, SD