Saint Onge, SD Water Safety: 53/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 1 water system · Updated 2026-06-03
Saint Onge, SD water systems: poor compliance record, lower-tier safety grade.
How Saint Onge Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Saint Onge Water: The Quick Version
- Homes built before 1986: 63% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $400 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 12.96 — above typical levels.
Water Systems Serving Saint Onge
Supply infrastructure in Saint Onge, SD runs through a single dominant provider — the main entity among 1 tracked system through which rate decisions, infrastructure work, and federal compliance are managed.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Saint Onge, South Dakota (population ~300), covering 1 community water system serving approximately 879 people region-wide.
No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Saint Onge — an excellent indicator of water quality.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Saint Onge: 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 Onge water systems draw from: Groundwater.
Lead & Copper
- Lead data: not yet available for Saint Onge
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57779 | D | WHITEWOOD | 879 |
All ZIP Codes in Saint Onge
- 57779 [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 Saint Onge
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 Saint Onge's Housing Stock?
With 63% 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
The median home in Saint Onge was built in 1954 — a figure that places most of the city's residential stock in the era when lead solder was still standard in copper plumbing. Homes built before 1986 may have lead-soldered joints; those built before 1970 face the additional possibility of lead pipes in the service line itself.
Over half of homes in Saint Onge 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.
Saint Onge: Remediation Cost in Perspective
Because property values in Saint Onge comfortably exceed estimated remediation costs, the equity impact here is proportionally small.
Remediation costs in Saint Onge are relatively low compared to home values. The $0–$800 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 38% above the South Dakota average.
Protecting Children from Lead in Saint Onge
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.
Despite citywide averages serving as the standard public reference point, those aggregates cannot resolve what is happening at one specific faucet — and where 63% of Saint Onge homes come from before the solder rule or where utility samples sit at or above the action mark, the gap between system data and faucet reality matters more than it does in lower-exposure communities. An in-home draw closes that gap, with certified filtration through retailer networks available where confirmed faucet results warrant additional measures.
Sources: EPA Lead and Copper Rule, U.S. Census Bureau ACS, CDC childhood lead poisoning prevention guidelines.
What You Can Do in Saint Onge
- 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 63% 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 Onge, SD