PFAS in Drinking Water in South Dakota
What residents of South Dakota need to know about PFAS ("forever chemicals") in drinking water — including contamination sources, which utilities have documented violations, and how to filter PFAS from tap water.
Source: EPA SDWIS, South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, CDC · Last reviewed: 2025-01-01
Quick Answer
Is PFAS in drinking water a real concern in South Dakota?
PFAS contamination in South Dakota is primarily linked to Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City in Pennington County — home of B-1 bombers and a significant Air Force installation with documented AFFF use history. PFAS contamination from Ellsworth has been detected in surrounding groundwater in the Rapid City area. South Dakota's largely rural character means many residents rely on private wells.
Where does PFAS come from in South Dakota?
Ellsworth AFB in Pennington County is South Dakota's primary military PFAS source. AFFF from bomber base flight operations and fire training has contaminated local groundwater east of Rapid City. The Box Elder and Black Hawk communities adjacent to the base draw from groundwater that has received PFAS loading from the installation.
What should South Dakota residents know?
Box Elder and Black Hawk residents near Ellsworth AFB face the most direct risk. Rapid City's municipal water system, which draws from both groundwater and surface water, should be monitored for PFAS. South Dakota DANR has conducted PFAS testing under UCMR5. Rural South Dakota private well users have no regulatory PFAS protection.
Key Facts
| EPA MCL (PFOA/PFOS) | 4 ppt — effective April 2024 |
| MCLG | Zero |
| Primary contamination source | Ellsworth AFB (Pennington County/Rapid City area) — B-1B base with AFFF contamination |
| State regulator | South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) |
| Health effects | Cancer (kidney, testicular), thyroid disruption, immune effects, developmental toxicity |
| Effective treatment | Reverse osmosis (NSF/ANSI 58) or granular activated carbon |
Why PFAS Matters in South Dakota
Ellsworth AFB — one of the Air Force's primary B-1B Lancer bomber bases — has documented AFFF contamination in Pennington County groundwater. The communities of Box Elder and Black Hawk, which have grown substantially as Rapid City suburbs, draw from the same groundwater zones affected by Ellsworth's PFAS plumes. South Dakota's relatively small population and limited regulatory infrastructure may complicate the state's ability to implement broad PFAS testing and treatment programs under the new EPA MCL.
South Dakota PFAS Regulation
South Dakota DANR participates in UCMR5 monitoring for large systems. Ellsworth AFB near Rapid City is the primary military PFAS assessment site, with AFFF contamination documented near the base. South Dakota's rural character means most residents rely on small systems or private wells with limited PFAS monitoring history. South Dakota follows the federal MCL with no additional state standard.
Largest South Dakota Water Utilities
No PFAS violations on record in EPA SDWIS for South Dakota utilities in our database. Browse the largest utilities to review their full water quality record.
What Are PFAS (“Forever Chemicals”)?
PFAS are a family of over 12,000 synthetic chemicals used in non-stick cookware, stain-resistant fabrics, food packaging, and AFFF firefighting foam. Their carbon-fluorine bonds do not break down in the environment or the body — hence the name “forever chemicals.” AFFF used at military bases is the single largest source of PFAS in U.S. drinking water.
Full PFAS overview — national data, health effects, all 50 statesWho Should Pay Closest Attention
Box Elder and Black Hawk area residents in Pennington County near Ellsworth AFB face the highest documented risk. Rapid City water customers should review their utility's PFAS monitoring data. Private well users throughout South Dakota near any military or industrial facility should consider testing.
Residents near military bases with AFFF use history
Private well owners near military or industrial sites
Pregnant residents and families with young children
Residents in communities with documented PFAS detections
Anyone who has consumed water above 4 ppt for an extended period
Residents near airports, fire training areas, or industrial manufacturers
How to Check Your Situation in South Dakota
- 1
Identify your water utility using the ZIP lookup below or by browsing the South Dakota utility directory on this site.
- 2
Review your utility's Consumer Confidence Report (CCR) — it must report PFAS monitoring results under UCMR5 and the new MCL.
- 3
Check the EPA's ECHO database for your utility's monitoring history. Look for PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, and related compound results.
- 4
Contact your utility directly and ask for their most recent PFAS test results and whether they are implementing treatment under the 2024 MCL.
- 5
If you use a private well near a military base, airport, or industrial facility, order a PFAS panel test from a state-certified laboratory. Tests typically cost $150–$400.
- 6
If PFAS is detected above 4 ppt in your source water, install a certified NSF/ANSI 58 reverse osmosis system or an NSF/ANSI 53-certified activated carbon filter rated for PFAS removal.
How to Remove PFAS from Tap Water
Reverse Osmosis (Best)
90–99% removal — NSF/ANSI 58 certified systems only
Certified Activated Carbon
Effective with NSF/ANSI 53 or 58 certification — verify before buying
Boiling concentrates PFAS. Standard pitcher filters and water softeners do not remove PFAS. Always verify NSF certification before purchasing.
Take Action Now
Look up your South Dakota utility's PFAS monitoring history on the PFAS Watchlist below.
If your utility has detected PFAS above 4 ppt, install an NSF/ANSI 58-certified reverse osmosis system at your drinking tap.
Private well owners near military or industrial sites should order a PFAS panel test ($150–$400 at a state-certified lab).
Request your utility's most recent Consumer Confidence Report — PFAS results must be disclosed under the new 2024 MCL.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Pages
PFAS — National Overview
All U.S. utilities with PFAS records
South Dakota PFAS Watchlist
Live utility PFAS monitoring data
South Dakota State Overview
All utilities and water quality data
Reverse Osmosis Guide
Removes 90–99% of PFAS
Activated Carbon Filter Guide
NSF/ANSI 53/58 certified options for PFAS
Arsenic in Drinking Water
Another priority contaminant
All Contaminants
Complete reference library
Data Sources & Provenance
All data on this page is sourced from official U.S. government or public datasets.