COUNTY REPORT SD

Sanborn County, South Dakota

6 ZIP codes · Avg score 52/100 · Grade D · Updated 2026-06-04

State safety rankings put Sanborn County near the bottom — 6 ZIP codes, below-average compliance.

How Sanborn County Compares

Sanborn County52/100
South Dakota avg60/100
National avg68/100

How Sanborn County Compares

D
County Grade
52/100
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
6
Water Systems

Sanborn County scores 8 points below the South Dakota state average (60/100) and 16 points below the national average (68/100).

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-06-04

D
County Grade
52
Avg Safety Score
6
ZIP Codes
Best ZIP: 57359 (66/100)
Lowest ZIP: 57358 (40/100)
$134K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Avg Remediation (119% of home value)

ZIP Code Risk Map

Water Quality Map: Sanborn County, South Dakota

Each dot represents a ZIP code. Color indicates water quality grade. Tap a dot for details.

A B C D F

Key Risk Factors

Health risk index: 14.1 (asthma 9.8%, diabetes 13.1%)

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $690, driven primarily by water_lead

Infrastructure: 0.435% avg pipe failure probability, 83% of ZIPs at high risk

77.2% of homes built before 1978 (lead paint era)

County Health Indicators vs National Average

Asthma 9.8% (national: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.1% (national: 10.5%)
Obesity 36% (national: 32.4%)

Black markers indicate national averages. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Infrastructure Overview

1953
Median Build Year
77.2%
Pre-1978 Housing
44%
Pipe Failure Probability
83%
ZIPs at High Infra Risk
High
Lead Pipe Risk

Sources: Census ACS (housing age), EPA SDWIS (infrastructure risk model), state bridge inspection data.

Compound Risk Breakdown

Estimated additional annual cost per homeowner: $690

Water / Lead $317/yr
Energy Code Gap $240/yr
Flood $133/yr

Bar widths proportional to share of total annual risk cost. Source: compound risk model (FEMA, EPA, USGS).

Housing Age Distribution

1,702 housing units in Sanborn County

Pre-1940 37%
1940–1959 17%
1960–1979 17%
1980–1999 13%
2000+ 16%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS B25034 (Year Structure Built).

Water Safety Affordability

How much it costs to fix water issues relative to home values in Sanborn County

$134K
Median Home Value
$1,600
Est. Remediation Cost
1.2%
of Home Value
Remediation as % of home value low burden

Remediation costs are relatively manageable for most homeowners in Sanborn County, representing a small fraction of property value.

Remediation includes water filtration, lead abatement, radon mitigation, and flood protection where applicable. Source: Census ACS, EPA SDWIS.

Health Outcomes vs National Average

CDC PLACES data for Sanborn County residents

Asthma 9.8% (US avg: 8.9%)
Diabetes 13.1% (US avg: 11%)
Obesity 36% (US avg: 32.4%)

Black markers = national averages. Red = above national avg. Green = below. Source: CDC PLACES, Census ACS.

Water Systems with Most Violations

Top 5 systems in Sanborn County ranked by EPA violation count.

# Water System Population Violations
1 Mid-dakota Rural Water 11,833 4
2 Davison Rural Water System Inc. 3,485 4
3 Upland Colony 198 3
4 WOONSOCKET 618 1
5 Kingbrook Ii Rural Water System 2,715 0

6 total water systems serve Sanborn County.

All ZIP Codes in Sanborn County

6 ZIP codes tracked in Sanborn County.

# ZIP Code City Safety Score Grade Violations Home Value
1 57359 Letcher 66 C 0 $162K
2 57385 Woonsocket 66 C 1 $150K
3 57314 Artesian 61 C 3 $119K
4 57312 Alpena 40 D 0
5 57337 Fedora 40 D 0 $25K
6 57358 Lane 40 D 0

Recommended Buyer Guides for Sanborn County

Where county records show a lead exceedance or pre-1978 housing concentration, lead-specific filters and test kits move toward the top of the list.

Overview

Sanborn County in South Dakota covers 6 ZIP codes with an average Home Safety Score of D (52/100).

2 of 6 ZIP codes have recorded EPA violations. All violations are monitoring/reporting type.

← Back to South Dakota water quality report

Data Sources

Updated daily.

What You Can Do

Sanborn County has a grade of D. Here are steps to protect your household.

1

Test your tap water

Order a certified lab test kit ($20-$50) to check for lead, bacteria, and other contaminants specific to your ZIP code.

2

Consider a certified water filter

NSF-certified filters can remove most common contaminants. Match the filter to your test results for best protection. Try our filter matcher

3

Contact your water utility

Request the latest Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) from your water provider. It details exactly what was found in your water supply.

4

Check for lead in your home

77.2% of homes in this county were built before 1978. Older plumbing and solder can leach lead into drinking water, especially in the morning.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water safe in Sanborn County?
Sanborn County receives a grade of D. 0 of 6 ZIP codes have health-based violations. Independent water testing is recommended.
How many water systems serve Sanborn County?
Sanborn County is served by 6 public water systems that supply drinking water to residents across 6 ZIP codes.
What is the biggest environmental risk in Sanborn County?
The primary environmental risk factor in Sanborn County is water_lead. This contributes to an estimated additional annual cost of $690 per homeowner.
How old are homes in Sanborn County?
The median home build year in Sanborn County is 1953. 77.2% of homes were built before 1978, which means they may contain lead-based paint and older plumbing materials.
How does Sanborn County compare to South Dakota?
Sanborn County has an average water safety score of 52/100, which is below the South Dakota state average of 60/100.

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