Is Brookings, SD tap water safe?

Data: U.S. EPA · How we read the data · How we check it

No federal limits exceeded in EPA data for Brookings Municipal Utilities.

4 public water systems serve parts of Brookings. The largest, Brookings Municipal Utilities, serves 23,377 people. Your water bill names your system.

Largest system

Brookings Municipal Utilities

23,377 people · Groundwater · EPA ID SD4600071

PFAS	Highest average	Limit	Status
PFOA Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFOS Not detected	–	4 ppt	Not detected
PFHxS Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
PFNA Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected
HFPO-DA (GenX) Not detected	–	10 ppt	Not detected

ppt = parts per trillion. "Highest average" is the highest average at any of the system's entry points, the way EPA compares results with the limits.

Lead: 8 ppb at the 90th percentile (Dec 2023, and 9 in 10 homes sampled were at or below it) Below action level
Health-based violations since 2016: 1

Across South Dakota, 0 of 55 water systems EPA tested had PFAS above a 2024 federal limit, and 0 systems were above the lead action level in results from the last five years. South Dakota results.

Brookings homes and lead pipes

46%

of homes built before 1980 (South Dakota 50%, US 50%)

16%

built before 1950 (South Dakota 20%)

52%

of households rent (South Dakota 31%)

Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so homes from before then are the ones to check. Renting? Ask your landlord what the service line is made of, because it's their pipe to replace. How to check your own line.

Housing: Census American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates for Brookings city (tables B25034, B25003). Estimates for small places have a margin of error.

Other water systems serving Brookings

University Estates Water System
150 people · Purchased groundwater · South Dakota · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
North Brookings Water and Sanitary D
48 people · Purchased groundwater · South Dakota · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample
Southbrook Estates Water System
28 people · Groundwater · South Dakota · lists this city
Not in EPA's PFAS sample

How nearby cities compare

City	Main water system	PFAS	Lead (90th pct.)
Sioux Falls 53 mi Sioux Falls Water System	Sioux Falls Water System	None above limits	3 ppb
Aberdeen 115 mi Aberdeen Water System	Aberdeen Water System	None above limits	3 ppb
Rapid City 318 mi Rapid City Water System	Rapid City Water System	None above limits	6 ppb

Brookings ZIP codes (2)

57006
57007

Questions

Is Brookings tap water safe to drink?

Brookings Municipal Utilities had 1 health-based violation since 2016. Utility data can't show lead from your own pipes: if your home was built before 1986, test your tap. Your utility's annual Consumer Confidence Report is the official summary.

Who supplies water in Brookings, SD?

4 public water systems serve parts of Brookings. The largest is Brookings Municipal Utilities (23,377 people). Your water bill names your system. The EPA ID is also on your utility's Consumer Confidence Report.

Does Brookings tap water have PFAS?

None detected above EPA's reporting limits. Brookings Municipal Utilities had no PFAS detected in EPA's 2023–2025 testing. "Not detected" means below the reporting limit (about 2 to 20 ppt), not proven zero.

Do Brookings homes have lead pipes?

Census estimates put 46% of Brookings homes as built before 1980 (South Dakota: 50%). Lead service lines and lead solder were allowed until 1986, so older homes are more likely to have them. Brookings Municipal Utilities's service line inventory says what your line is made of. The only way to know for your home is to check the line where it enters the house and test your tap.

Source: U.S. EPA drinking water records and PFAS testing (UCMR 5). How we read the data.