WaterQ
South Dakota State Report All States
Official Status: March 2026

Is Rapid City tap water safe to drink?

✓ Generally Safe
A

Mostly yes — Rapid City scores 95/100.

Safety Score
95
out of 100

Still not sure if you need a filter in Rapid City?

Read Decision Guide →

Rapid City

South Dakota

View South Dakota state report Verified: Apr 2026

Is Rapid City tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Rapid City scores 95/100. This report aggregates EPA drinking water data across 1 local system in Rapid City. We found 0 total violations (0 unresolved).

Real-Time Environment

Live: 02:45 PM
0mm Precipitation

☀️ No active precipitation. Rainfall can impact surface water turbidity and pollutant runoff in Rapid City.

Water Quality Impact

✅ Minimal Impact Localized weather conditions may influence test result variability.

🛡️ Home Water Treatment Needs

Should you invest in filtration or softening for your home in Rapid City?

Requirement Status
Optional
🟢
💡

Expert Advice

Your water quality is excellent. Standard filtration is optional but can further enhance taste.

Buying a Filter?

Should you buy a water purifier in Rapid City? See our analysis.

Baby Formula Safety

Is Rapid City tap water safe for infants? Critical safety guide.

Homebuyer's Perspective

For those looking to relocate to Rapid City, water quality is a key factor in long-term property maintenance. The high safety score (95/100) suggests lower risk for plumbing corrosion and appliance scaling.

Property Impact: Positive / Stable

Health & Family Safety

Residents should monitor Gross Alpha Particle Activity levels. Pregnant women and families with young children should consult the specific EPA health goals listed below.

View Health Risk Glossary →

Score Breakdown for Rapid City

EPA Compliance & Violations 85/100
Contaminant Safety Margin 95%

*Scores are calculated using weighted EPA monitoring data from the past 5 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rapid City tap water safe to drink?

Mostly yes — Rapid City scores 95/100.

How many water systems serve Rapid City?

Rapid City is served by 1 public water system in our latest EPA-backed dataset.

How can I check water quality for my exact address in Rapid City?

Use the WaterQ search tool to look up your ZIP code and view nearby systems, contaminant levels, and recent violations for Rapid City.

What is the water quality score for Rapid City?

The water quality score for Rapid City is N/A out of 100, based on EPA contaminant data, violation history, and testing results for all serving water systems.

What are the top contaminants in Rapid City?

The top contaminants detected in Rapid City include Gross Alpha Particle Activity, Nitrite, Barium. View detailed information on our contaminants page.

Water Quality Score
95/100
Grade
A
Water Systems
4
Population
85,817

Rapid City Water Quality Summary

Rapid City, SD receives a water quality score of 95/100 (Grade A) based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) compliance data for 4 public water systems serving the area.

Rapid City's water quality is above the national average, with strong compliance records and low contaminant levels. Residents generally receive clean, safe tap water that meets EPA standards.

Water quality data is sourced from the U.S. EPA SDWIS database and updated quarterly. Learn about our scoring methodology →

Key Contaminants

Gross Alpha Particle Activity
13.9649 / 15 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 15 pCi/L
Nitrite
0.6261 / 1 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 1 mg/L
Barium
1.052 / 2 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 2 mg/L
PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances)
0.0018 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L
Chlorine
1.5396 / 4 mg/L
0 mg/L MCL: 4 mg/L
Trichloroethylene (TCE)
1.1742 / 5 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 5 μg/L
Radium-228
0.651 / 5 pCi/L
0 pCi/L MCL: 5 pCi/L
PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic Acid)
0.0005 / 0.004 μg/L
0 μg/L MCL: 0.004 μg/L

Water Systems Serving Rapid City (1)

Related

Compare Rapid City water quality: View all states · Contaminant library · How we score water quality