Wessington, SD: 1 Health Violation — 65/100 (2026)
1 ZIP code · 2 water systems · Updated 2026-06-03
Recent monitoring in Wessington shows middle-tier safety for SD — some systems are clean; others have logged EPA violations.
How Wessington Compares
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-03
Key Facts for Wessington Residents
- Your city's water systems recorded 2 violations in the past 5 years.
- Average lead level: 0.001 mg/L.
- Homes built before 1986: 77% — older plumbing may contain lead solder.
- Estimated remediation: $300 per household.
- CDC health risk index: 13.76 — above typical levels.
Wessington's Water Providers
Residential addresses in Wessington, SD are served by 2 primary water providers out of 2 systems in federal records. Each system maintains separate infrastructure and files its own EPA compliance reports, so service conditions are not uniform across the city.
Overview
We track water quality and home safety data for 1 ZIP code in Wessington, South Dakota (population ~504), covering 2 community water systems serving approximately 12,003 people region-wide.
1 of 1 ZIP code (100%) have recorded EPA violations. 1 health-based violation documented.
Home Safety Score
Average Home Safety Score for Wessington: C (65/100)
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
Wessington water systems draw from: Surface water.
Lead & Copper
- Average lead level (90th percentile): 0.0010 mg/L (EPA action level: 0.015 mg/L)
- 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.
Top Contaminants
| Contaminant | Category | Violations | ZIPs Affected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stage 1 DBP Rule | Treatment Technique | 2 | 1 |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 2 | 1 |
Areas with Most Violations
| ZIP Code | Safety Score | Violations | Health-Based | System |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57381 | C | 2 | 1 | Mid-dakota Rural Water |
All ZIP Codes in Wessington
- 57381 [C] — 2 violations ⚠
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.
Wessington Community Health Snapshot
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
What's in Wessington's Water?
Based on EPA violation records. Check your ZIP code report for system-specific contaminant data.
Wessington Infrastructure Age
With 77% 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
For residents trying to assess tap water risk in Wessington, the median build year of 1944 is the starting context. It signals that a majority of homes were constructed before 1986 — the year federal rules prohibited lead solder in new plumbing — and that a significant share likely predates 1970, when lead pipes were still a common choice for residential service connections. Neither risk tier is rare in this housing inventory.
Over half of homes in Wessington 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.
How Remediation Costs Compare in Wessington
Property equity in Wessington runs well ahead of estimated remediation costs — a cost-to-value ratio that sits in the low tier, meaning documented water and safety issues here are the kind homeowners can plan to address without treating the expense as a significant budget event relative to what their homes are worth.
Remediation costs in Wessington are relatively low compared to home values. The $150–$600 estimated range is a small fraction of median property value. Home values are 35% below the South Dakota average.
Wessington: Lead Risk & Vulnerable Populations
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 77% of the Wessington 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 Wessington
- 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. Filters rated for Stage 1 DBP Rule can reduce the most common contaminant found in Wessington's water.
- Check your home's plumbing. With 77% of homes built before 1986, lead solder is a real possibility.
Deep Dive Reports
Detailed analysis for Wessington, SD