Mc Intosh, SD Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Drinking water quality in Mc Intosh has lagged behind SD benchmarks — documented violations keep the safety grade low.
How Mc Intosh Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Mc Intosh Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 86% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 18.1 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Mc Intosh
Across most of Mc Intosh, SD, residential water comes from a single utility. That provider sets rates, manages infrastructure maintenance, and files compliance reports with the EPA on behalf of the households it serves. Federal tracking data shows 1 system on record, but one carries the bulk of the service load.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Mc Intosh, South Dakota (population ~244), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 499 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Mc Intosh — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Mc Intosh: D (53/100)
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
Mc Intosh water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Mc Intosh
- 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level
Radon Risk
Dominant radon zone: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57641 | D | TIMBER LAKE | 499 |
All ZIP Codes in Mc Intosh
- 57641 [D]
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 Mc Intosh
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
How Old Is Mc Intosh's Housing Stock?
With 86% 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
What does a median build year of 1957 mean for water safety in Mc Intosh? It means the majority of the city's residential plumbing was installed before 1986, when lead solder was federally banned, and a large share may predate 1970, when lead pipes were commonly used — making plumbing age a central variable in household-level lead risk across much of the city.
Over half of homes in Mc Intosh 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.
Mc Intosh: Remediation Cost in Perspective
When remediation costs are measured against Mc Intosh home values, the resulting ratio is in the low tier — addressing documented water and safety issues here claims only a minor fraction of typical equity, and most homeowners are in a position where the financial commitment is straightforward rather than a material burden on their household budget.
Remediation costs in Mc Intosh are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 64% below the South Dakota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Mc Intosh
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.
Before the federal solder ban, lead solder was a routine plumbing material, and 86% of the Mc Intosh inventory was built in that earlier era — a share large enough to move household-level reads onto the standard list.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Mc Intosh
- 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 86% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
- Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Mc Intosh, SD