CITY REPORT SD

Utica, SD: High Radon Risk — 40/100 (2026)

1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03

Monitoring data across Utica reveals a persistent pattern of below-average compliance in SD — multiple service areas carry documented health violations, and the data has shown little overall improvement over recent EPA reporting cycles.

How Utica Compares

Utica40/100
South Dakota avg60/100
National avg67/100

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03

1
ZIP Codes
2
Water Systems
0
ZIPs with Violations
D · 40
Avg Safety Score
Zone 1
Radon Risk (High)
$216K
Median Home Value
$1,200
Est. Remediation (0.6% of home value)

What You Should Know About Utica Water

  • Homes built before 1986: 66% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
  • Estimated remediation: $1,200 per household.
  • CDC health risk index: 13.32 — above typical levels.

Who Supplies Your Water in Utica

Water delivery in Utica, SD is handled by 2 utilities rather than a single system — drawn from 2 providers in federal records, each filing its own compliance reports and setting its own rates.

By Water District
Serves ~13,320 people
40
/100
MISSION HILL
Serves ~190 people
40
/100

Overview

We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Utica, South Dakota (population ~314), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 13,510 people region-wide.

No EPA violations recorded across any ZIP codes in Utica — an excellent indicator of water quality.

Home Safety Score

Average Home Safety Score for Utica: D (40/100)

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

Utica water systems draw from: Surface water.

Lead & Copper

  • Lead data: not yet available for Utica
  • 0 ZIP codes exceed the EPA lead action level

Radon Risk

Dominant radon zone: Zone 1 (High 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
57067 D By Water District 13,320

All ZIP Codes in Utica

Data Sources

Updated daily.

Health Outcomes in Utica

9.8%
Asthma (US: 9.8%)
11.8%
Diabetes (US: 10.4%)
14.4%
Poor Mental Health (US: 14.8%)

Source: CDC PLACES (County-level estimates). Water contamination can correlate with respiratory and chronic health conditions.

Compared to National Average

Asthma 9.8% ↓
Diabetes 11.8% ↑
Mental Health 14.4% ↓

Vertical line = national average. Above national · Below national

Housing & Infrastructure in Utica

1974
Median Build Year
66%
Built Before 1986
41%
Built Before 1970
Copper
Likely Pipe Material

With 66% 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

Lead solder was standard in copper plumbing until federally banned in 1986; lead pipes were common in service lines pre-1970. Utica's median build year of 1974 reflects a housing stock where these older materials are a pervasive feature — not a rare legacy — of the residential plumbing landscape.

1974
Median Year Built
66%
Pre-1986 (Lead Paint Risk)
41%
Pre-1970 (Lead Pipes Risk)
Pre-1970 (41%) 1970–1986 (25%) Post-1986 (34%)

Over half of homes in Utica 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 Utica Homeowners

In Utica, the equity impact of remediation is proportionally small — not the kind of financial commitment that rises to the level of a genuine planning constraint, but a minor share of what most properties here are worth.

Median Home Value
$215,900
Est. Remediation
$1,200
Remediation as % of home value 0.6%

Remediation costs in Utica are relatively low compared to home values. The $800–$1,500 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 24% above the South Dakota average.

Lead Exposure Risk for Children in Utica

66%
Homes Built Before 1986

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.

Even where utility-side monitoring meets Lead and Copper Rule requirements, the 66% pre-rule share in Utica keeps interior-plumbing variation as a household-level question that aggregate data cannot resolve.

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

What You Can Do in Utica

  1. 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.
  2. Install a certified water filter. An NSF-certified pitcher or under-sink filter removes most common contaminants.
  3. Check your home's plumbing. With 66% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
  4. Review your water system's CCR. Your utility publishes an annual Consumer Confidence Report with detailed test results. Request it or find it online.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the water safe to drink in Utica, SD?
Utica has an average water safety score of 40/100 (Grade D). No EPA violations on record. Check individual ZIP code reports for details specific to your neighborhood.
How does Utica compare to South Dakota average?
Utica has an average water safety score of 40/100, which is below the South Dakota state average of 60/100.
How many water systems serve Utica?
Utica is served by 2 public water systems across 1 ZIP code, serving approximately 314 people.
How much does it cost to fix water issues in Utica?
Estimated remediation costs in Utica average $1,200 per household, ranging from $800 to $1,500. Costs include filtration, pipe replacement, radon mitigation, and flood protection.
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