Saint Charles, SD Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Water compliance in Saint Charles, SD ranks below average — documented gaps in multiple service areas.
How Saint Charles Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
What You Should Know About Saint Charles Water
- Homes built before 1986: 86% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 14.84 — above typical levels.
Who Supplies Your Water in Saint Charles
Across most of Saint Charles, 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 Saint Charles, South Dakota (population ~39), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 275 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Charles — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Charles: 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
Saint Charles water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Charles
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57571 | D | BONESTEEL | 275 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Charles
- 57571 [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.
Health Outcomes in Saint Charles
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 Saint Charles
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
Viewed through the lens of construction era, Saint Charles is predominantly an older city — a median build year of 1968 puts most of the residential inventory in the range where pre-1986 plumbing materials were the standard.
Over half of homes in Saint Charles 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 Saint Charles Homeowners
Low proportionality — that's the Saint Charles picture when remediation costs are placed against typical home equity.
Remediation costs in Saint Charles are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 58% below the South Dakota average.
Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Saint Charles
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.
If 86% of the Saint Charles inventory comes from before the federal ban on lead-bearing solder — and if utility samples sit at or near 0.015 mg/L — the gap between citywide averages and one specific faucet becomes a practical concern rather than a theoretical one. That is why one-home reads exist as a separate measurement. A certified filter through retailer networks addresses confirmed exposure where it appears in a household.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Saint Charles
- 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 Saint Charles, SD