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WaterSafeCheck
Official EPA SDWIS Verified ReportWater Quality & Testing GuideStatus: Normal Operations

ZIP Code 57473 Water Quality & Testing Report

Seneca, SD · Faulk County County · Updated for 2026

Quick EPA Verified Answer

Is Tap Water Safe to Drink in ZIP 57473 (Seneca, SD)?

Caution / Filtration Recommended: Tap water in ZIP code 57473 (Seneca, SD) has compliance concerns, earning an EPA Safety Grade of C (66/100) due to 0 health violation(s) and 1.0 ppb lead. While treated by Web Water Development Association, residents are advised to use an NSF/ANSI 53 certified water filter for drinking and cooking.

Safety Score
C

Water Safety Grade

Fair — Some compliance concerns

Health Violations

0

Total Violations

0

Lead Risk

Moderate

Contaminants

0

About Tap Water in ZIP Code 57473

Tap water in ZIP code 57473 (Seneca, SD) is distributed by Web Water Development Association (EPA ID: SD4601089), serving approximately 20,750 residents. Based on EPA Safe Drinking Water Act compliance records, this system receives a water safety grade of C with a composite quality score of 66/100.

Water System

Web Water Development Association

EPA ID: SD4601089

Water Source

Surface Water

Population Served

20,750 residents

County

Faulk County County, South Dakota

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Lead Levels in ZIP 57473

EPA action level: 15 ppb | Public health goal: 0 ppb

Lead Level: 1.0 ppb — Very Low

The 90th percentile lead level in 57473 is 1.0 ppb. This meets the EPA action level of 15 ppb. Health experts recommend a target of 0 ppb for optimal safety.

Lead exposure risk in 57473 is rated Moderate. EPA models estimate a 42% exposure probability based on housing and infrastructure age.

Lead Level (90th percentile)
1.00 ppb (0.001 mg/L)
Lead Exposure Risk Rating
Moderate
Lead Exposure Probability

EPA model estimate based on housing age and infrastructure

42%
Note: Lead levels above are the 90th percentile from EPA monitoring — meaning 90% of samples were at or below this level. Even "undetected" tap water lead doesn't account for lead leaching from home plumbing. If your home was built before 1986, individual tap testing is recommended.
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Water Hardness & Mineral Content

Grains per gallon (GPG) & Parts per million (PPM / mg/L)

Classification: Very Hard11.2 GPG · 191 mg/L

Water in ZIP 57473 is Very Hard (191 mg/L / 11.2 GPG). High concentrations of dissolved limestone minerals cause severe mineral buildup, stiff laundry, dry skin, and premature water heater wear.

Recommendation: A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Hardness (GPG)

Grains per gallon

11.2 GPG
Hardness (PPM / mg/L)

Parts per million CaCO3

191 mg/L
Appliance Scaling Risk
High / Severe

Official EPA SDWIS Database Entry

Utility: Web Water Development Association · PWSID: SD4601089

Verify on EPA.gov
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Violation History

Past 5 years — EPA SDWIS data

Web Water Development Association has recorded zero violations in the EPA compliance database over the past 5 years.

Total Violations (5 yr)
0
Health-Based Violations
0
Unresolved Violations
0
Boil Water Advisories
0
Compliance Risk
Low

Regulatory compliance risk for this utility is rated Low based on past reporting and enforcement records.

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Contaminants Detected

Contaminants with health-based violations on record

No health-based contaminant violations are on record for ZIP code 57473 under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

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Water Source & Environmental Factors

Surface Water

This system draws water from lakes, rivers, or reservoirs. Surface water is treated to remove sediment, microorganisms, and chemical contaminants before reaching taps.

Water Source Type
Surface Water
EPA Radon Zone

Highest potential

Zone 1
Energy Burden

% of household income spent on energy — indicator of older infrastructure

7.83%

EPA Radon Zone 1 — highest potential for radon in indoor air. Homeowners should test their home for radon and consider mitigation if levels exceed 4 pCi/L.

Water Quality Testing in ZIP 57473

Tap Water & Well Testing Recommendations

Residents in ZIP code 57473 served by Web Water Development Association can test tap water or private well systems to verify water purity. Testing detects hidden contaminants before they impact family health.

Tap Water Testing Steps

  • 1.Conduct a certified lead check if your home was constructed before 1986.
  • 2.Use certified lab testing kits rather than uncalibrated test strips for regulated compliance.
  • 3.Sample water from both your kitchen faucet and water heater to compare line purity.

Private Well Testing Steps

  • •Test for Coliform bacteria and Nitrates annually.
  • •Test for heavy metals, radon, and PFAS every 3 years.
  • •Send samples to a state-certified drinking water laboratory recognized by South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Certified Lab Testing: Always use an EPA-certified drinking water laboratory in SD for formal legal or real estate compliance testing.

🛡 What Should You Do? — ZIP 57473 Recommendations

  • ⚠ Use a certified NSF/ANSI 53 filter for drinking and cooking water if you have young children
  • ⚠ Never give unfiltered tap water to infants in formula — use certified bottled or filtered water
  • ⚠ Request a copy of the Consumer Confidence Report to see what was detected and when
  • ⚠ Call the EPA Safe Drinking Water Hotline: 1-800-426-4791

Recommended Water Treatment Systems:

🏺

NSF 53 Lead Pitcher Filter

Specifically certified to reduce lead and copper at the tap.

Lead Filter Guide →
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NSF 58 Under-Sink RO System

Advanced filtration for PFAS, fluoride, nitrates, and organic chemicals.

RO System Guide →

Frequently Asked Questions — ZIP 57473 Water Quality

Is tap water safe to drink in ZIP code 57473?+
Tap water in 57473 (Seneca, SD) meets major standards but has a grade of C due to minor past violations. Vulnerable populations may want to use a certified filter as a precaution.
How do I get my water tested in ZIP 57473 (Seneca, SD)?+
To test water quality in ZIP 57473, you can order a certified drinking water test kit or send water samples to an EPA/NELAP certified laboratory in SD. Certified testing checks for lead, coliform bacteria, nitrates, hardness, and PFAS that standard test strips miss. Contact South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources for a list of certified regional labs.
How hard is the tap water in 57473?+
Tap water in 57473 is classified as Very Hard with an estimated mineral hardness of 191 mg/L (11.2 GPG). A whole-home water softener system is strongly recommended to protect plumbing and home appliances.
Should I test private well water in 57473?+
Yes. Unlike municipal systems, private wells in 57473 are not regulated by the EPA or local utilities. Private well owners should test their water annually for coliform bacteria and nitrates, and every 3 to 5 years for heavy metals (lead, arsenic) and volatile organic compounds.
What is the lead level in 57473 tap water?+
The 90th percentile lead level in 57473 is 1.0 ppb. The EPA action level is 15 ppb. This is below the EPA action level.
Is there an active boil water notice in 57473?+
There are currently no active boil water advisories on record for 57473. Water treatment systems are operating within normal parameters.
Who provides tap water to 57473?+
Tap water in ZIP code 57473 is provided by Web Water Development Association (EPA ID: SD4601089), serving approximately 20,750 residents.
What water filter should I use in 57473?+
Based on water metrics for 57473, we recommend None / Standard Pitcher. Look for certifications such as NSF/ANSI 42 (Chlorine, Taste & Odor).

Data Sources & Methodology

Water quality data for ZIP code 57473 is compiled from the EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), EPA ECHO enforcement database, UCMR5 unregulated contaminant monitoring, and Consumer Confidence Reports filed by Web Water Development Association. Safety scores are composite metrics derived from violation history, lead levels, enforcement actions, and infrastructure risk indicators. Data reflects a 5-year monitoring window. Last dataset update: 2024. View EPA source data →