CITY REPORT SD

Howes, SD: 2 Violations - Home Safety 83/100

1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated

ZipCheckup grade for Howes: B.

This ZIP has a few items worth a quick check.

Based on available records, Howes, SD holds an A or B ZipCheckup grade.

How Howes Compares

Howes83/100
South Dakota avg69/100
National avg73/100

Data: EPA SDWIS

1
ZIP Codes
1
Water Systems
1
ZIPs Linked to Systems with Violations
B · 83
Avg Safety Score
Zone 2
County Radon Potential (Moderate)
$236K
Median Home Value

Key Facts for Howes Residents

  • Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations since 2021.
  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.004 mg/L.
  • Homes built before 1986: 54% - older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Health risk index (ZipCheckup composite of CDC data): 11.8.

Howes's Water Providers

One water system is listed below for Howes, SD; federal data link 1 to the area overall.

Overview

We track home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Howes, South Dakota (population ~334), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 2,190 people region-wide. The EPA snapshots used for this build directly map water systems to 1 of 1 ZIP codes.

1 of 1 ZIP code with a reported violation count in the available EPA record (100%) have recorded EPA violations. The available record reports no health-based violations for this measured scope.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Howes: B (83/100)

Model 4.0.0 uses four measured components across three equally weighted domains. If a required domain is unavailable, no score is published:

Factor What It Measures
Water Quality EPA violations and compliance history
PFAS MCL Screen UCMR 5 testing against the covered federal MCLs
Radon Risk EPA radon zone classification
Annual AQI EPA AirData county-year median with at least 90 observed days

Water Sources

Howes water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Average of reported 90th-percentile lead results: 0.0040 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
  • 0 of 1 ZIP code with known status exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

1 of 1 ZIP records with known zones is in EPA Radon Zone 2.

The EPA recommends testing all homes regardless of radon zone. County radon zones cannot replace an in-home radon test.

Top Contaminants

Contaminant Category Violations ZIPs Affected
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 2 1
Chlorine Disinfectant 2 1

Areas with Most Violations

ZIP Code Safety Score Violations Health-Based System
57748 B 2 0 Tri-county Rural Water System

All ZIP Codes in Howes

  • 57748 [B] - 2 violations

Data Sources

Reporting periods vary by source. Missing data is shown as unavailable, not as zero.

Howes Community Health Snapshot

10.3%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
9.5%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
15.8%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). County health indicators are shown for context only and are not linked to this area's water records.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 10.3% ↑
Diabetes 9.5% ↓
Mental Health 15.8% ↑

Vertical line = national average. ■ Above national · ■ Below national

What's in Howes's Water?

Revised Total Coliform Rule 2 violations
Microbiological
Indicates possible bacterial contamination
Chlorine 2 violations
Disinfectant · EPA regulatory level for the contaminant named above: 4 mg/L

Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.

Howes Infrastructure Age

1986
Median Build Year
54%
Built Before 1986
27%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 54% of homes built before 1986, lead solder in plumbing is a potential concern. Federal law banned lead solder in drinking-water plumbing in 1986, but many older homes retain original plumbing.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS).

Housing Age Profile

Some homes in Howes predate the 1986 federal restrictions on lead in new pipe and solder, so a tap test is a reasonable step for older homes; median build year: 1986.

1986
Median Year Built
54%
Pre-1986 (lead solder era; lead paint banned 1978)
27%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (27%) 1970–1986 (27%) Post-1986 (46%)

Over half of homes in Howes were built before 1986, when federal law began restricting lead solder in drinking-water plumbing. Older plumbing may leach lead into drinking water, especially with corrosive water chemistry.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034.

Howes: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations

54%
Homes Built Before 1986
0.004
mg/L average of reported water-system 90th-percentile lead results (the 0.015 action level applies to each system's result, not to this average)

Why children are most at risk: The CDC states that no safe blood lead level in children has been identified. Children under 6 absorb lead more readily than adults, and even low levels can cause developmental delays, learning difficulties, and behavioral problems.

If you have young children or are pregnant, consider testing your home's water - especially if your home was built before 1986.

Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.

Deep Dive Reports

Detailed analysis for Howes, SD

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Home Safety Score mean for Howes, SD?
Howes has an average Home Safety Score of 83/100 (Grade B) under ZipCheckup model 4.0.0, an area-level model that draws on EPA water compliance records, PFAS screening, EPA radon zones, and annual EPA air quality data; see the methodology page for how inputs and coverage are handled. 2 violations appear in EPA records for water systems mapped to these ZIP codes. Check individual ZIP code reports for component details.
How many violations are on record for water systems serving Howes?
EPA records list 2 EPA violations for Howes water systems. These water-system violations are shown for 1 mapped ZIP code.
Does Howes water have lead?
The average of the reported 90th-percentile lead results across the ZIP codes of Howes is 0.004 mg/L. The EPA action level of 0.015 mg/L applies to each water system's own 90th percentile, not to this average. EPA's health goal for lead is zero. Lead levels can vary by home - testing is recommended especially in older properties.
How does Howes compare to South Dakota average?
Howes has an average Home Safety Score of 83/100, which is at or above the South Dakota state average of 69/100 for the same model series.
How many water systems serve Howes?
Our records map 1 water system to 1 ZIP code in Howes. The related population figure in our data is approximately 334 people; it is not a count of people served citywide.
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How to cite this page

APA ZipCheckup. (2026). Howes, SD: 2 Violations - Home Safety 83/100. https://zipcheckup.com/cities/sd/howes/
BibTeX 
@misc{zipcheckup-cities-sd-howes,
  author = {{ZipCheckup}},
  title  = {{Howes, SD: 2 Violations - Home Safety 83/100}},
  year   = {2026},
  url    = {https://zipcheckup.com/cities/sd/howes/}
}

Page version: October 2026.

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