What was found in Black Hawk's water
The level at the city's main supplier, the highest level anywhere in the city, the EPA limit for each, and where every figure comes from.
| Contaminant | Level vs EPA limit | Suppliers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nitrate | 823 µg/L 8.2% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: BLACK HAWK WATER USER DISTRICT · 4,500 people · 2018
Highest in the city: 4150 µg/L — NORRIS PEAK WATER USERS ASSOC · 30 people · 2019 | 29/47 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 3900 µg/L 98% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Highest in the city: OAK MOUNTAIN COUNTRY ESTATES · 85 people · 2017 | 33/47 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 317.65 µg/L 24% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: BLACK HAWK WATER USER DISTRICT · 4,500 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 620.1 µg/L — RUSHMORE RANCH ESTATES · 168 people · 2019 | 45/47 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 575 µg/L 29% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Highest in the city: D & E WATER COMPANY · 100 people · 2012 | 31/47 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 48.875 pCi/L 326% of the EPA limit, at the 95th percentile of samples — 15 pCi/L Highest in the city: VIEWFIELD RURAL WATER SYSTEM · 220 people · 2019 | 30/47 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 3.32 µg/L 4.1% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: BLACK HAWK WATER USER DISTRICT · 4,500 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 42.27 µg/L — RUSHMORE RANCH ESTATES · 168 people · 2019 | 28/47 | SYR4 |
| Combined Uranium | 23.5 µg/L 78% of the EPA limit 30 µg/L Highest in the city: HEARTLAND COUNTRY RANCHETTES · 95 people · 2019 | 6/47 | SYR4 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 20.9 µg/L 35% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Highest in the city: CANYON SPRINGS WATER AND SEWER DISTR · 163 people · 2019 | 8/47 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 3.905 µg/L 26% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: BLACK HAWK WATER USER DISTRICT · 4,500 people · 2017
Highest in the city: 13.1 µg/L — HEARTLAND COUNTRY RANCHETTES · 95 people · 2019 | 45/47 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 9 µg/L 90% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Highest in the city: RUSHMORE RANCH ESTATES · 168 people · 2019 | 8/47 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 9 µg/L 18% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Highest in the city: COUNTRY ROAD ESTATES · 112 people · 2013 | 3/47 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0020 mg/L 13% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: BLACK HAWK WATER USER DISTRICT · 4,500 people · 2023
Highest in the city: 0.0140 mg/L — EDELWEISS MOUNTAIN IMPROVEMENT ASSOC · 70 people · 2024 | 46/47 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Black Hawk
Frequently asked questions about Black Hawk tap water
Is Black Hawk tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 12 contaminants in the water serving Black Hawk. A detection isn't the same as a violation — most detected levels are within federal limits. Check the level and source for each contaminant above, and your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report for the official compliance status.
How many water suppliers serve Black Hawk?
47 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Black Hawk, South Dakota to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Black Hawk's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Black Hawk include Nitrate, Fluoride, Copper, Barium, Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U. The full list, with the level at the main supplier and the data source, is in the table above.
Where does this data come from?
Every figure is official EPA drinking-water monitoring — the Lead & Copper Rule, the UCMR-5 nationwide testing program, and the EPA Six-Year Review — not our own testing. Each number is labelled with its source and period.