Health Violations Found SD 1 HEALTH VIOLATION

Sioux Falls

EPA ID: SD4600294 · 216,462 people served · 25 ZIP codes

Right now, Sioux Falls shows 2 EPA violations marked active and unresolved — the provider continues to supply approximately 216,462 residents while each finding awaits closure.

Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02

C · 60
Avg Safety Score
216,462
People Served
25
ZIP Codes Served
2
Violations (5yr)
Surface Water
Water Source
0.003 mg/L
Max Lead Level
Zone 1
Radon Risk · High
2
Contaminants Flagged

Compliance Trajectory

Worsening · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months

Violations went from 20 (2021) to 21 (2025). The pattern suggests growing compliance challenges.

Service Area Map

Coverage area for Sioux Falls Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.

Service area boundary — Grade C

Service Area Demographics

$91,649
Median Household Income
234,749
Service Area Population
29%
Disadvantaged Population
39th
Poverty Percentile
30th
Energy Burden Percentile
40%
Pre-1986 Housing

The Sioux Falls serves a community with a median household income of $91,649 and an estimated 234,749 residents across its service area. Approximately 40% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.

🌊 Where Does Your Water Come From?

Surface Water

Sioux Falls's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap.

Elevated Risk
Source Contamination Risk
67th
Wastewater Discharge Proximity
10th
Superfund Site Proximity

About 1% of homes in Minnehaha County, South Dakota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.

Wastewater Proximity Note: This service area ranks in the 67th percentile nationally for proximity to wastewater discharge points. Surface water sources near wastewater outfalls may face additional treatment challenges.

Infrastructure Risk

42 yr
Avg Pipe Age
Unknown
Pipe Material
25 yr
Est. Remaining Life
Moderate Wear
Decay Status
Installed 63% of expected lifespan used End of life

Detected Contaminants

How Sioux Falls compares to EPA limits

Chlorine residual 1 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level) (25% of limit)
0 EPA Limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level)
Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels

What This Means For You

Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.

PFAS Detected in Service Area

PFAS ("forever chemicals") have been detected in water serving this system's area. 4 detections recorded.

Health concern: PFAS are linked to cancer, thyroid disease, immune suppression, and developmental effects. They do not break down naturally.
Recommended filter: Reverse osmosis (RO) or activated carbon filters certified for PFAS removal. Find the right filter →

Chlorine residual was detected in this water system. granular activated carbon (GAC) filtration can reduce exposure.

Find a certified water filter →

Estimated Remediation Costs

Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system

Radon Mitigation Flood Insurance Water Filtration PFAS Treatment
Radon Mitigation $1,200
Flood Insurance $724
Water Filtration $240
PFAS Treatment $80
Total Estimated Cost $2,244

Based on national averages for common remediation projects. Actual costs vary by property. Only issues flagged by EPA, FEMA, or state data for each ZIP code are included.

Cost of Inaction

If water quality issues in this service area are not addressed, the estimated financial impact per household is:

Estimated Healthcare Costs $500

Annual per household (CDC est.)

PFAS Exposure — Lifetime Cost $1,000

Per person (emerging research est.)

Estimated Cumulative Cost Per Household

5 years
$2,665
10 years
$5,330
20 years
$10,660

Compare: Estimated remediation cost is $2,244 (one-time) vs. $5,330 in estimated inaction costs over 10 years.

Estimates based on published EPA, CDC, and peer-reviewed research. Individual costs vary by household size, property, and health factors. These are conservative lower-bound estimates intended for awareness, not financial advice.

System Overview

SIOUX FALLS (EPA ID: SD4600294) is a community water system in South Dakota that serves approximately 216,462 people from surface water sources.

This system provides water to 25 ZIP codes across 6 communities.

Average Home Safety Score: C (60/100)

Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.

Violation History

1 health-based violation recorded in the past 5 years. 2 remain unresolved.

Recent Violations

Date Contaminant Type Status
July 7, 2025 Chlorine residual Health-based Unresolved
April 1, 2024 Revised Total Coliform Rule Monitoring Unresolved

Contaminants Detected

The following contaminants have been flagged in EPA records for this water system:

Contaminant Category Violations Health-Based
Revised Total Coliform Rule Microbiological 1 No
Chlorine residual Disinfectant 1 Yes

Health Risk Details

Chlorine (Residual Disinfectant) (EPA limit: 4 mg/L (MRDL — Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level))

Irritation & DBP formation at high levels; protective at normal treatment levels At-risk groups: people with asthma or chemical sensitivities, kidney dialysis patients (water must be dechlorinated).

Removal methods: granular activated carbon (GAC), KDF media filter, carbon block filter. Find the right filter →

Lead & Copper

EPA Lead and Copper Rule sampling data for ZIP codes served by this system:

ZIP Code Lead Level Exceeds Limit Sample Date
57101 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57103 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57104 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57105 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57106 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57107 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57108 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57109 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57110 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57117 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57118 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57186 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57189 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57192 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57193 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57194 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57195 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57196 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57197 0.003 mg/L No N/A
57198 0.003 mg/L No N/A

Radon Risk in Service Area

Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 1 (High Risk)

The EPA recommends testing homes in Zone 1 and Zone 2 areas for radon.

Need help with your water quality?

Typical cost: Water test: typically $20–$50 (DIY kit) · Professional inspection: $150–$400

Find the Right Water Filter

Free tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.

ZIP Codes Served

Coverage: 14 ZIP codes confirmed via EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 plus 11 additional ZIPs inferred from SDWIS registry data. The EPA-confirmed set is the most reliable; SDWIS-inferred entries may be narrower than the real deployment area.

Data Sources

This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Sioux Falls (SD4600294) on EPA.gov.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sioux Falls water safe to drink?

Sioux Falls has recorded 1 health-based violation in the past 5 years. While the system is required to treat water to meet federal standards, you may want to consider additional precautions such as a certified water filter.

How many people does Sioux Falls serve?

Sioux Falls serves approximately 216,462 people across 25 ZIP codes in South Dakota.

Where does Sioux Falls get its water?

The primary water source is surface water.

Contact Your Water Utility

Public-record contact information for the water utility serving this system. Use these channels to request water quality reports, ask about service, or report issues directly.

Phone
605-373-6950
ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.
Address
Water Purification Plant 2100 North Minnesota Avenue P.O. Box 7402 Sioux Falls, SD 57117-7402

Contact information from Sioux Falls Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility, does not act as its agent, and does not provide customer support for it. Contact details shown are public-record information from CCR filings. For service issues, contact the utility directly using the information above.

Water Source & Treatment

Where this water originates and how it's treated before reaching your tap.

Source
Blended (groundwater + surface water)
Combines water from both groundwater and surface sources.
Disinfectant used
Chlorine
Treatment chemicals reported
chlorinefluoride

Source: Sioux Falls Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with this water utility. Treatment and source data are sourced from the utility's published CCR filings.

Treatment regime

How this utility classifies its treatment process and what each reported treatment chemical does.

Treatment classification
Standard
Disinfection plus one or more treatment additives — typically corrosion control, pH adjustment, or fluoridation. Standard regime for utilities serving treated municipal water.

Treatment chemicals and what each one does

Chemical names are reported verbatim by the utility. Purpose categories are ZipCheckup annotations based on standard drinking-water treatment practice.

Disinfectant
Inactivates bacteria, viruses, and parasites in the treated water.
chlorine
Fluoridation
Added at low levels per state or local public-health policy for dental health.
fluoride

Treatment classification and chemical list sourced from Sioux Falls Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

Treatment intensity is a ZipCheckup-derived classification based on the chemicals and processes the utility reports. Chemicals and contamination sources are taken verbatim from the utility's CCR filing. Routine federal monitoring and contaminant testing shown elsewhere on this page determine whether the water meets safety standards, not the treatment classification.

Federal UCMR5 PFAS Monitoring: Tested Clean

This water system was tested under the federal EPA Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule (UCMR5). No PFAS compounds were detected.

Samples collected
232

Current MCL reflects the lowest state-enforceable limit (NYS 10 ppt for PFOA/PFOS, effective August 2020). The federal final MCL of 4 ppt for PFOA/PFOS (EPA April 2024 rule) is not enforceable until April 2029. Detections above 4 ppt but below 10 ppt are below current MCL but above the future federal limit.

Source: U.S. EPA UCMR5 (Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, 5th cycle) — per-system federal sampling, 2023–2025. EPA UCMR5 monitoring program →

Understand PFAS health context and filtration →

Lead Service Line Inventory

Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:

15
Confirmed Lead
21
Galvanized — Replacement Required
18,038
Unknown Material
45,652
Confirmed Non-Lead

Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.

Federal Regulatory Status · 2026Q1
LCRR inventory submission: Reported all required service line types
Latest tap sample on 2024-01-01 did not exceed the federal lead action level.
Population served: 216,462
Reported to South Dakota

Source: EPA SDWIS Federal Service Line Inventory (Phase 2) · Submitted 2026

ZipCheckup is not affiliated with the utility or state agency. Inventory figures render verbatim from the public LCRI submission cited above; ZipCheckup does not perform inspections or replacements.

Learn about lead in drinking water →

Aesthetic water quality

These measurements describe the look, taste, and feel of the water this utility delivers. They are not contaminant violations — they sit alongside federal Secondary Maximum Contaminant Levels (SMCLs) which the EPA publishes as non-enforceable guidance.

pH
8.3
How acidic or basic the water is on a 0-14 scale. Drinking water is typically near neutral.
EPA secondary range: 6.5 – 8.5
Fluoride
0.58 ppm
Utility adds fluoride
Measured fluoride concentration in parts per million.
EPA secondary MCL: 2.0 ppm
Alkalinity
55 ppm CaCO₃
Capacity of the water to neutralize acids, expressed as calcium carbonate equivalent.

Aesthetic measurements from Sioux Falls Water Division Consumer Confidence Report.

Aesthetic measurements are reported by the utility from its annual sampling. EPA Secondary MCLs are advisory thresholds — values outside them indicate aesthetic concerns such as taste or appearance, not health violations. Federal contaminant testing is shown in the sections above.

Hard water detected in Sioux Falls Water Division

Your utility reported water hardness of 270 ppm CaCO₃ (16 grains per gallon) in its most recent Consumer Confidence Report. This is in the very hard range and may cause scale buildup, reduced appliance lifespan, and dry skin or hair.

Solutions for hard water

There are three common approaches to treating hard water: salt-based ion-exchange softeners (most effective, require salt refills), salt-free conditioners (lower maintenance, scale prevention only), and reverse osmosis at the kitchen sink (cooking and drinking water only). Aquasana, EcoWater, Pelican, and SpringWell are among the major US brands.

Recommended Aquasana system for your hardness level

Paid Partner. ZipCheckup earns commission on Aquasana purchases. We do not test water or verify product effectiveness for specific hardness levels — manufacturer claims are theirs alone. Consult a certified water-quality professional for personalized advice.

Hardness data parsed from this utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report. Severity bands per USGS hard water classification.

How Water Systems Appear in Rankings

Water systems are evaluated by violation history, contaminant detections, and service population. Larger systems with more service connections appear in more rankings.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is water from Sioux Falls safe to drink?
Sioux Falls has a C safety grade based on 2 recorded violations. Some contaminants may exceed EPA limits — independent testing is recommended.
What contaminants are in Sioux Falls's water?
Detected contaminants include Revised Total Coliform Rule, Chlorine residual. Each is compared against EPA maximum contaminant levels (MCLs) in the detailed breakdown above.
Should I use a water filter?
Given 1 contaminant above EPA limits, a certified water filter can provide an extra layer of protection. The best type depends on specific contaminants in your water.
How many people does Sioux Falls serve?
Sioux Falls serves approximately 216,462 people with drinking water across 25 ZIP codes.
What is Sioux Falls's water source?
Sioux Falls draws water from surface water sources. Source type affects which contaminants are most likely to be present.
Is there lead in Sioux Falls's water?
The maximum detected lead level is 0.003 mg/L. This is within EPA action level guidelines.
What is the demographic profile of Sioux Falls's service area?
The Sioux Falls service area has a median household income of $91,649. Demographic data is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau and EPA EJScreen.
Where does Sioux Falls get its water?
Sioux Falls's water is drawn from rivers, lakes, or reservoirs. Surface water sources are more exposed to agricultural runoff, stormwater, and upstream discharges, but they typically receive more intensive treatment before reaching your tap. Based on violation history and environmental factors, the source contamination risk is currently elevated.

What You Can Do

1

Test your water

Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →

2

Check your specific ZIP code

Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →

3

Contact your utility

Sioux Falls (EPA ID: SD4600294) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.

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