D30/100
SALEM — Water Quality Report 2026
Serving 1,325 people · South Dakota
Water Source
Groundwater
County
—
System ID
SD4600288
Violations
34
Contaminant Test Results
2 contaminants above EPA health goals
| Contaminant | Detected | Limit (MCL) | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
Copper (90th percentile) | 1.41 mg/L | 1.30 mg/L | Over Limit |
Lead (90th percentile) | 0.028 mg/L | 0.015 mg/L | Over Limit |
EPA Violation History
No violations in the past 5 years
Full EPA compliance since 2013.
Understanding violation severity
Tier 1Urgent health risk. Utility must notify all customers within 24 hours.Tier 2Important health or treatment issue. Customers notified within 30 days.Tier 3Administrative or monitoring issue. Reported in the annual water quality report.
Source: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS) · Updated quarterly
Frequently Asked Questions About SALEM
Is SALEM water safe to drink?
SALEM water receives a grade of D (30/100), which is considered poor. 2 contaminant(s) exceed EPA legal limits and 34 violation(s) are on record. Customers may want to consider using a water filter.
What contaminants has SALEM detected?
2 contaminants were tested in SALEM's water. Notable contaminants include Lead (90th percentile), Copper (90th percentile). 2 exceed EPA legal limits (MCLs). 2 exceed EPA health goals (MCLGs).
Does SALEM have any EPA violations?
Yes, SALEM has 34 EPA violation(s) on record, with the most recent in 2013. Violation types include MCL, MR. 5 are health-based violations.
How many people does SALEM serve?
SALEM serves approximately 1,325 people, South Dakota. The system provides water to 1 community: Salem.
What type of water does SALEM provide?
SALEM sources its water from groundwater. Groundwater is pumped from underground aquifers, which often provides natural filtration. The utility's system ID is SD4600288.
How does SALEM compare to other utilities in South Dakota?
SALEM scores 30/100 with a grade of D (poor). This score suggests significant water quality concerns relative to other utilities. Visit our South Dakota state page for a full comparison of water systems.