2026 Rankings

Worst Infrastructure: South Dakota — 2026 Rankings

Last updated: June 4, 2026

389 ZIP codes ranked by Pipe Failure Risk #1: ZIP 57722 (Buffalo Gap, SD) — 57%

Out of 389 ZIP codes with infrastructure data in South Dakota, these areas face the highest estimated risk of water pipe failure based on infrastructure age, funding gaps, and violation history.

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 389
Highest risk 57%
Median risk 40%
Average risk 39%
State South Dakota

Top 100 Highest Risk ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Pipe Failure Risk Risk Level Safety Score
1 57722 Buffalo Gap SD 57% High 77/100
2 57354 Kaylor SD 56% High 40/100
3 57364 New Holland SD 56% High 40/100
4 57426 Barnard SD 56% High 40/100
5 57741 Fort Meade SD 55% High 83/100
6 57027 Fairview SD 53% High 40/100
7 57243 Henry SD 53% High 66/100
8 57266 Summit SD 53% High 57/100
9 57421 Amherst SD 53% High 53/100
10 57645 Morristown SD 52% High 69/100
11 57072 Volin SD 51% High 63/100
12 57271 Vienna SD 51% High 53/100
13 57659 Walker SD 51% High 40/100
14 57051 Oldham SD 50% High 53/100
15 57061 Sinai SD 50% High 40/100
16 57105 Sioux Falls SD 50% High 56/100
17 57342 Geddes SD 50% High 40/100
18 57448 Hosmer SD 50% High 61/100
19 57456 Leola SD 50% High 61/100
20 57474 Stratford SD 50% High 67/100
21 57538 Herrick SD 50% High 53/100
22 57104 Sioux Falls SD 49% High 56/100
23 57218 Brandt SD 49% High 40/100
24 57315 Avon SD 49% High 58/100
25 57439 Ferney SD 49% High 53/100
26 57455 Lebanon SD 49% High 40/100
27 57457 Long Lake SD 49% High 40/100
28 57735 Edgemont SD 49% High 76/100
29 57213 Astoria SD 48% High 50/100
30 57217 Bradley SD 48% High 53/100
31 57363 Mount Vernon SD 48% High 68/100
32 57373 Saint Lawrence SD 48% High 53/100
33 57432 Claremont SD 48% High 53/100
34 57436 Doland SD 48% High 53/100
35 57449 Houghton SD 48% High 53/100
36 57467 Orient SD 48% High 40/100
37 57468 Pierpont SD 48% High 66/100
38 57767 Owanka SD 48% High 83/100
39 57792 White Owl SD 48% High 53/100
40 57236 Garden City SD 47% High 64/100
41 57263 South Shore SD 47% High 48/100
42 57332 Emery SD 47% High 66/100
43 57340 Fulton SD 47% High 40/100
44 57358 Lane SD 47% High 40/100
45 57366 Parkston SD 47% High 69/100
46 57376 Tripp SD 47% High 66/100
47 57386 Yale SD 47% High 40/100
48 57401 Aberdeen SD 47% High 49/100
49 57438 Faulkton SD 47% High 69/100
50 57534 Hamill SD 47% High 40/100
51 57660 Watauga SD 47% High 40/100
52 57014 Centerville SD 46% High 56/100
53 57073 Wakonda SD 46% High 65/100
54 57233 Erwin SD 46% High 40/100
55 57261 Roslyn SD 46% High 70/100
56 57264 Stockholm SD 46% High 40/100
57 57314 Artesian SD 46% High 61/100
58 57323 Carthage SD 46% High 40/100
59 57349 Howard SD 46% High 62/100
60 57520 Agar SD 46% High 40/100
61 57529 Dallas SD 46% High 83/100
62 57641 Mc Intosh SD 46% High 53/100
63 57646 Mound City SD 46% High 53/100
64 57004 Beresford SD 45% High 62/100
65 57037 Irene SD 45% High 66/100
66 57058 Salem SD 45% High 45/100
67 57066 Tyndall SD 45% High 66/100
68 57214 Badger SD 45% High 66/100
69 57224 Claire City SD 45% High 40/100
70 57260 Rosholt SD 45% High 68/100
71 57350 Huron SD 45% High 62/100
72 57374 Spencer SD 45% High 70/100
73 57382 Wessington Springs SD 45% High 62/100
74 57422 Andover SD 45% High 40/100
75 57430 Britton SD 45% High 69/100
76 57434 Conde SD 45% High 69/100
77 57437 Eureka SD 45% High 66/100
78 57440 Frankfort SD 45% High 69/100
79 57461 Mellette SD 45% High 53/100
80 57469 Redfield SD 45% High 63/100
81 57470 Rockham SD 45% High 40/100
82 57472 Selby SD 45% High 65/100
83 57544 Kennebec SD 45% High 53/100
84 57551 Martin SD 45% High 80/100
85 57571 Saint Charles SD 45% High 53/100
86 57584 Witten SD 45% High 53/100
87 57651 Reva SD 45% High 53/100
88 57034 Hudson SD 44% High 66/100
89 57040 Lesterville SD 44% High 56/100
90 57070 Viborg SD 44% High 69/100
91 57076 Winfred SD 44% High 53/100
92 57219 Bristol SD 44% High 65/100
93 57245 Kranzburg SD 44% High 40/100
94 57274 Webster SD 44% High 65/100
95 57276 White SD 44% High 65/100
96 57313 Armour SD 44% High 70/100
97 57322 Carpenter SD 44% High 44/100
98 57328 Corsica SD 44% High 65/100
99 57330 Delmont SD 44% High 65/100
100 57359 Letcher SD 44% High 66/100

Methodology

Infrastructure risk rankings combine four data sources, each weighted equally (25%): (1) EPA Drinking Water Infrastructure Needs Survey (DWINS 2023) — state-level 20-year funding gap per capita for pipe replacement, treatment, and storage; (2) Census ACS housing vintage — percentage of homes built before 1980, when lead solder and galvanized pipes were common; (3) EPA SDWIS violation and enforcement data — system-level compliance history; (4) Lead and Copper Rule indicators — service line material inventories and 90th percentile lead testing results. The combined score is normalized to a 0-100% probability scale.

Data sources: EPA DWINS 2023, Census ACS, EPA SDWIS, Lead and Copper Rule data. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does pipe failure probability mean?

Pipe failure probability estimates the likelihood of water main breaks, lead contamination from corroded pipes, or service disruptions based on infrastructure age, state funding gaps, violation history, and lead indicators. It is not a prediction of imminent failure, but a risk assessment based on known factors.

How is infrastructure risk calculated?

The risk score combines four equally weighted factors: state-level infrastructure funding gap per capita (from EPA DWINS 2023), housing vintage (Census ACS pre-1980 housing percentage), water system violation and enforcement history (EPA SDWIS), and lead exposure indicators (service line probability and testing results).

What can homeowners do about aging infrastructure?

Test your tap water annually, especially for lead. Check if your home has a lead service line through your water utility. Consider a whole-house water filter (NSF/ANSI 53 certified). Review your water system Consumer Confidence Report for violation history.

Does high risk mean my water is unsafe right now?

Not necessarily. Infrastructure risk indicates long-term vulnerability, not current contamination. However, areas with aging pipes and high violation counts have a statistically higher chance of water quality issues. Regular testing is the best way to verify your water safety.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →


Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead pipe infrastructure and EPA exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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