State distribution
Hardness across indexed ZIPs
Counts describe published ZIP profiles, not a population-weighted statewide sample.
Soft · 0–60 PPM3
Moderately hard · 61–120 PPM10
Hard · 121–180 PPM6
Very hard · 181+ PPM215
State water index
South Dakota water hardness
Search 234 indexed communities and 246 ZIP profiles, then compare the underlying utility, source, distance, and reporting context.
Median indexed hardness
516PPM
Very Hard
Indexed range 20.5–1330 PPM
- ZIP profiles
- 246
- Cities
- 234
- Matched utilities
- 392
- Counties
- 64
Understanding South Dakota
Why local comparisons matter here
South Dakota includes Missouri River systems, eastern glacial aquifers, Black Hills sources, and deeper bedrock groundwater across the plains.
In this index, very hard is the largest category, covering 215 of 234 profiles with hardness data. The state median is 516 PPM, but the full indexed range is 20.5–1330 PPM.
Evidence coverage
What the current records support
- Hardness estimate
- 95%
- Lead 90th percentile
- 100%
- Copper 90th percentile
- 17%
172
Low-confidence hardness profiles
169
Nearest site more than 25 miles away
Reported source water
Utility source mix
- Groundwater
- 258
- Surface water
- 132
- Groundwater influenced by surface water
- 2
Highest medians
Hardest indexed cities
- 1. Pukwana1330 PPM
- 2. Mellette1260 PPM
- 3. Alexandria1245 PPM
- 4. Armour1245 PPM
- 5. Avon1245 PPM
Lowest medians
Softest indexed cities
- 1. Morristown21 PPM
- 2. Whitehorse42 PPM
- 3. Mcintosh53 PPM
- 4. Frankfort69 PPM
- 5. Doland69 PPM
City directory
Explore South Dakota by city
Search by city or county, then sort by name, hardness, or ZIP coverage.
234 cities · 246 ZIP profiles
234 cities found
Page 1 of 10
Aberdeen
Brown County · 1 ZIP
1043PPM
Single indexed value1 active record
Alcester
Union County · 1 ZIP
469PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alexandria
Hanson County · 1 ZIP
1245PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Alpena
Beadle County · 1 ZIP
1110PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Angostura
Fall River County · 1 ZIP
526PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Armour
Douglas County · 1 ZIP
1245PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Artesian
Sanborn County · 1 ZIP
367PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Aurora
Brookings County · 1 ZIP
516PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Avon
Bon Homme County · 1 ZIP
1245PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Badger
Kingsbury County · 1 ZIP
516PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Baltic
Minnehaha County · 1 ZIP
829PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Batesland
Oglala Lakota County · 1 ZIP
—
No hardness estimateNo active flag
Bath
Brown County · 1 ZIP
1043PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Belle Fourche
Butte County · 1 ZIP
972PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Beresford
Lincoln County · 1 ZIP
510PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Big Stone City
Grant County · 1 ZIP
434PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bijou Hills
Charles Mix County · 1 ZIP
1245PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bison
Perkins County · 1 ZIP
783PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Blackhawk
Meade County · 1 ZIP
526PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Blunt
Hughes County · 1 ZIP
261PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bon Homme Colony
Bon Homme County · 1 ZIP
1245PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bonesteel
Gregory County · 1 ZIP
367PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Bowdle
Edmunds County · 1 ZIP
253PPM
Single indexed valueNo active flag
Box Elder
Meade County · 2 ZIPs
570PPM
Range 525.5–615No active flag
County comparison
Highest indexed county medians
| County | Median | Range | ZIP profiles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yankton County | 1245 PPM | 490.5–1245 | 7 |
| Bon Homme County | 1245 PPM | 1245–1245 | 5 |
| Davison County | 1245 PPM | 1245–1245 | 3 |
| Hanson County | 1245 PPM | 471–1245 | 3 |
| Douglas County | 1245 PPM | 1245–1245 | 3 |
| Brule County | 1245 PPM | 1110–1330 | 3 |
| Charles Mix County | 1245 PPM | 1245–1245 | 4 |
| Aurora County | 1245 PPM | 1245–1245 | 3 |
| Brown County | 1043 PPM | 359–1080 | 9 |
| Hutchinson County | 893 PPM | 471–1245 | 4 |
| Haakon County | 830 PPM | 830–830 | 2 |
| Day County | 824 PPM | 421–1043 | 6 |