Tripp County Water User District
EPA ID: SD4600520 · 4,860 people served · 16 ZIP codes
Five-year compliance data for Tripp County Water User District includes 1 violation the EPA has not yet marked resolved — those open findings are part of the utility's current enforcement profile, covering a service population of approximately 4,860 residents across the area it supplies.
Data: EPA SDWIS Last verified: 2026-04-02
Compliance Trajectory
Stable · Risk tier: High · 95% chance of violation in next 12 months
Violations went from 1 (2021) to 3 (2024). Violation counts have remained relatively steady.
Service Area Map
Coverage area for Tripp County Water User District Source: EPA SDWIS service area boundaries.
Service area boundary — Grade C
Service Area Demographics
The Tripp County Water User District serves a community with a median household income of $51,534 and an estimated 15,309 residents across its service area. Approximately 74% of housing stock was built before 1986, which increases the likelihood of lead service lines and older plumbing.
Environmental Justice Note: 97% of the population in this service area is classified as disadvantaged under EPA's EJScreen criteria. Communities with higher disadvantaged populations often face disproportionate environmental and health burdens, including aging water infrastructure and limited resources for remediation.
💧 Where Does Your Water Come From?
Tripp County Water User District's water is pumped from underground aquifers. Groundwater is naturally filtered through rock and soil, but it can be vulnerable to PFAS contamination, nitrates from agriculture, and industrial chemicals that seep into the water table.
About 3% of homes in Gregory County, South Dakota rely on private wells rather than public water systems. Private well owners are responsible for their own water testing and treatment.
Infrastructure Risk
Detected Contaminants
How Tripp County Water User District compares to EPA limits
What This Means For You
Lead at 1 mg/L (action level) exceeds the EPA maximum of 0.015 mg/L (action level). Brain damage in children, kidney & blood pressure in adults. Consider reverse osmosis filtration.
Revised Total Coliform Rule at 1 presence exceeds the EPA maximum of presence.
Lead was detected in this water system. reverse osmosis filtration can reduce exposure.
Find a certified water filter →Comparable Water Systems
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Estimated Remediation Costs
Average estimated costs across ZIP codes served by this system
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.
System Overview
TRIPP COUNTY WATER USER DISTRICT (EPA ID: SD4600520) is a community water system in South Dakota that serves approximately 4,860 people from groundwater sources.
This system provides water to 16 ZIP codes across 16 communities.
Average Home Safety Score: C (63/100)
Based on water quality violations, lead levels, and radon risk across all ZIP codes served by this system.
Violation History
Recent Violations
| Date | Contaminant | Type | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| April 1, 2024 | Chlorine residual | Health-based | Resolved |
| January 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lead | Inorganic | 1 | No |
| Chlorine residual | Disinfectant | 1 | Yes |
| Revised Total Coliform Rule | Microbiological | 1 | No |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 57528 | 0.015 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 57317 | 0.003 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 57533 | 0.003 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 57580 | 0.002 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 57523 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 57529 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
| 57579 | 0.001 mg/L | No | N/A |
Radon Risk in Service Area
Dominant radon zone for ZIP codes served by this system: Zone 2 (Moderate 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 FilterFree tip: Let cold water run for 2 minutes before drinking — this helps flush lead from your pipes.
ZIP Codes Served
Coverage: Service area ZIP codes sourced from EPA Community Water System Service Area Boundaries v3 (March 2026 release). These ZIPs reflect the actual deployment footprint recorded by SD or modeled from parcel and building-footprint data.
- 57317 — Bonesteel
- 57335 — Fairfax
- 57521 — Belvidere
- 57523 — Burke
- 57528 — Colome
- 57529 — Dallas
- 57533 — Gregory
- 57534 — Hamill
- 57538 — Herrick
- 57541 — Ideal
- 57555 — Mission
- 57569 — Reliance
- 57579 — White River
- 57580 — Winner
- 57584 — Witten
- 57585 — Wood
Data Sources
This report uses public data from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS). View the full compliance record for Tripp County Water User District (SD4600520) on EPA.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tripp County Water User District water safe to drink?
Tripp County Water User District 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 Tripp County Water User District serve?
Tripp County Water User District serves approximately 4,860 people across 16 ZIP codes in South Dakota.
Where does Tripp County Water User District get its water?
The primary water source is groundwater.
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.
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 →
Lead Service Line Inventory
Service line breakdown reported under the federal Lead and Copper Rule Improvements (LCRI) inventory requirement:
This system reports zero confirmed lead service lines in its inventory. Unknown-material counts may still warrant verification.
Federal LCRI rule (effective October 2024) requires every public water system to inventory its service lines and complete lead-line replacement within 10 years.
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.
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
What You Can Do
Test your water
Home test kits can detect lead, bacteria, and other contaminants at your tap. Find the right filter →
Check your specific ZIP code
Water quality can vary within a system. View nearest ZIP report →
Contact your utility
Tripp County Water User District (EPA ID: SD4600520) — request the latest Consumer Confidence Report or ask about specific contaminants.