Groton, SD: 1 Violation — 63/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 3 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
In recent monitoring cycles, Groton tap water shows a mixed record for SD — several systems have documented violations alongside areas with clean compliance histories.
How Groton Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Groton Water: The Quick Version
- Your city's water systems recorded 1 violation in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.003 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 58% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $2,400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.49 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Groton
Groton, SD draws its residential water from 3 separate providers among the 3 federally tracked systems. Each operates independently, with its own infrastructure, rate structure, and compliance record.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Groton, South Dakota (population ~2,033), covering 3 community water systems serving approximately 27,803 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Groton: C (63/100)
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
Groton water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0030 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57445 | C | 1 | 0 | Web Water Development Association |
All ZIP Codes in Groton
- 57445 [C] — 1 violation
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.
CDC Health Data for Groton
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
Key Contaminants Detected in Groton
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
How Old Is Groton's Housing Stock?
With 58% 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
Groton's housing stock is predominantly older, with a median build year of 1973 that reflects decades of construction before federal plumbing standards were tightened. The 1986 ban on lead solder and the pre-1970 era of lead service lines are both relevant benchmarks here — a significant share of the residential inventory predates one or both of those cutoffs, creating an elevated baseline for plumbing-related lead risk that aggregate water quality data may not fully reflect at the household level.
Over half of homes in Groton 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.
Groton: Remediation Cost in Perspective
In Groton, the equity share of documented remediation is meaningful enough to move the household financial perspective from routine maintenance into deliberate budgeting territory — the cost-to-value ratio is moderate, and most homeowners benefit from mapping the full scope against available budgets before committing.
Remediation costs are moderate relative to home values in Groton. The estimated $1,600–$3,300 range is manageable for most homeowners but still worth budgeting for. Home values are 6% above the South Dakota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Groton
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.
Pulling a tap sample fills the gap that utility data cannot close, particularly here where 58% of housing dates from the pre-rule era and citywide monitoring sits at or above the regulatory mark in Groton.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
Climate-Related Water Risk for Groton
Multiple flood events have been recorded for Groton through the NFIP — 14 claims in total, with 100% of ZIP codes in FEMA-designated zones — pointing to a flood exposure profile that merits inclusion in a water quality assessment without reaching high-severity planning territory.
Groton has a moderate flood history with 14 FEMA claims averaging $17,674 per payout. 100% of ZIP codes fall within FEMA flood zones. Flood events can contaminate drinking water and overwhelm treatment systems.
How flooding affects water quality: Flood events can introduce sewage, agricultural runoff, and industrial chemicals into water supplies. Even after floodwaters recede, contamination can persist in wells and aging infrastructure. Flood damage can add significantly to the estimated <strong>$2,400</strong> remediation cost per household.
Residents in flood-prone areas should consider flood insurance even outside FEMA zones — over 25% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. After any flood event, test your water before drinking.
Source: FEMA National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) claims data, FEMA flood zone designations.
What You Can Do in Groton
- 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. Filters rated for Revised Total Coliform Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Groton's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 58% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Groton, SD