Water Quality in Howard, SD: No Violations in Mapped EPA Records
2 water systems · 1 directly mapped ZIP records
Available EPA records report no violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts for Howard. This does not cover unavailable records or guarantee a specific tap is contaminant-free.
Data: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS)
Water Quality by ZIP Code in Howard
This table shows typed EPA water evidence only. Missing violation counts are displayed as N/A, not zero.
| ZIP Code | Violations | Health | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57349 | 0 | 0 | View report → |
Water Quality Overview
Howard, South Dakota has directly mapped EPA water-system data for 1 ZIP codes. This page reports typed compliance facts and does not relabel the multi-source Home Safety Score as a drinking-water grade.
The available EPA records report no violations across 1 directly mapped ZIP record with reported counts for Howard. This does not guarantee the absence of contaminants.
Lead Levels
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Howard is 0.0030 mg/L; the EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to a water system's own 90th-percentile result and is not a safety threshold (EPA's health goal for lead is zero). No exceedances appear among the 1 ZIP records with known lead status.
With 80% of homes built before 1986, Howard has a higher-than-average risk of lead from older plumbing. Lead solder was banned in 1986, and homes built before this date may have lead in pipes, solder joints, or fixtures.
Water Systems Serving Howard
Howard is served by 2 community water systems regulated under the Safe Drinking Water Act. About 1,450 people live in the area (1 ZIP code, Census); this is not the systems' reported service population.
Each water system is identified by a Public Water System ID (PWSID) and is required to:
- Test for over 90 regulated contaminants on a regular schedule
- Report results to the EPA and state regulators
- Issue an annual Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) to all customers
- Take corrective action when violations occur
How to Check Your Water in Howard
Enter your ZIP code on ZipCheckup to see your specific water system data, including contaminant levels and violation history
Request your CCR - your water utility must provide an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results for all monitored contaminants
Get a home test - certified kits cost $20–$50 and test for lead, bacteria, and common contaminants. Professional lab tests ($150–$400) cover a broader panel
Consider filtration - NSF-certified filters can remove specific contaminants. Reverse osmosis removes the broadest range; activated carbon is effective for chlorine and many organics
Check for advisories - monitor your local utility website and local news for boil water advisories or system alerts
Howard vs. Nearby South Dakota Cities
How Howard's water quality compares to similar cities in South Dakota:
| City | Direct EPA ZIPs | Violations | Systems | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Howard | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1,450 |
| Viborg | 1 | 2 | 3 | 1,453 |
| Worthing | 1 | 3 | 2 | 1,444 |
| Saint Francis | 0 | N/A | 0 | 1,457 |
Common Questions About Howard Water
These are the most common questions residents search for about water quality in Howard, South Dakota:
Is Howard water hard or soft? Water hardness varies by source. Howard's 2 water systems use multiple sources. Check your ZIP code report for specific hardness data.
Can I drink Howard tap water? City-level EPA records cannot determine safety at a specific tap. No health-based violations are recorded across 1 directly mapped ZIP records with known counts, but this is not a property-level safety guarantee.
What is the best water filter for Howard? A NSF/ANSI 53-certified filter for lead removal is a good general choice. See our Water Filter Matcher for personalized recommendations.
Howard vs. South Dakota Average
Understanding how Howard compares to the broader South Dakota average helps contextualize your local water quality. Factors like water source, treatment methods, and infrastructure age all contribute to differences between cities in the same state.
To see how individual neighborhoods compare, check the ZIP code reports below - water quality can vary significantly even within Howard.
ZIP Codes in Howard
Howard spans 1 ZIP code. EPA water-system coverage is available for 1 directly mapped ZIP code. Check each ZIP code for detailed contaminant data, violation history, and system information.
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
- Enforcement: EPA ECHO database
- Filter recommendations: NSF/ANSI certified products
Source reporting periods vary. See each cited source for its publication schedule.