What was found in Pierre'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 | 1100 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 10000 µg/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2019 | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Copper | 1032 µg/L 79% of the EPA limit 1300 µg/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2017 | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Fluoride | 450 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 4000 µg/L Highest in the city: MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2019 | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| TTHM | 5.96 µg/L 7.5% of the EPA limit 80 µg/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 78.695 µg/L — TMT, INC. · 250 people · 2019 | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Lithium | 25.2 µg/L No EPA limit set Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2025
Highest in the city: 74.1 µg/L — TMT, INC. · 250 people · 2023 | 3/5 | UCMR-5 |
| Total Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) | 6.376 µg/L 11% of the EPA limit 60 µg/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2019
Highest in the city: 48.6 µg/L — MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2019 | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Barium | 42.4 µg/L 2.1% of the EPA limit 2000 µg/L Highest in the city: MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2013 | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 6 µg/L 40% of the EPA limit 15 µg/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2017 | 5/5 | SYR4 |
| Gross Alpha, Excl. Radon And U | 3.7 pCi/L 25% of the EPA limit 15 pCi/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2014
Highest in the city: 3.8 pCi/L — MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2016 | 2/5 | SYR4 |
| Arsenic | 3 µg/L 30% of the EPA limit 10 µg/L Highest in the city: MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2013 | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Chromium | 1.6 µg/L 1.6% of the EPA limit 100 µg/L Highest in the city: MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2013 | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Selenium | 1.4 µg/L 2.8% of the EPA limit 50 µg/L Highest in the city: MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2013 | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Antimony, Total | 0.4000 µg/L 6.7% of the EPA limit 6 µg/L Highest in the city: MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2013 | 1/5 | SYR4 |
| Lead | 0.0010 mg/L 6.7% of the EPA limit 0.0150 mg/L Main supplier: PIERRE · 14,091 people · 2023
Highest in the city: 0.0020 mg/L — MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER · 11,833 people · 2025 | 5/5 | LCR |
Water suppliers serving Pierre
| Supplier | Population served |
|---|---|
| PIERRE | 14,091 |
| MID-DAKOTA RURAL WATER | 11,833 |
| SPRING CREEK SANITARY DISTRICT | 465 |
| TMT, INC. | 250 |
| PIERRE INDIAN LEARNING CENTER | 214 |
Frequently asked questions about Pierre tap water
Is Pierre tap water safe to drink?
EPA testing detected 14 contaminants in the water serving Pierre. 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 Pierre?
5 public water suppliers report drinking-water monitoring for Pierre, South Dakota to the EPA. Each is listed above with its population served.
What contaminants are in Pierre's water?
The contaminants EPA monitoring detected in Pierre include Nitrate, Copper, Fluoride, TTHM, Lithium. 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.