Is Sioux Falls tap water safe to drink?

Yes but with caveats

Sioux Falls's water meets EPA minimum standards but has some concerns. Filtration is recommended for sensitive individuals.

73/100

Purity Score

Issues Found

15.5 GPG

Hardness

Not detected

PFAS

3 Issues Detected in Sioux Falls

Very Hard Water (15.5 GPG)

Hard water causes scale in pipes and shortens appliance lifespan.

Hardness data for Sioux Falls

Moderate Chlorine Level

Chlorine within EPA limits but may affect taste.

Chlorine info for Sioux Falls

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.3 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Sioux Falls

Fix Your Water — See Recommended Filters

South Dakota

571,015,710,357,104 · Big Sioux River and Missouri River

Hard Water in Sioux Falls: What Your Pipes Are Dealing With

Moderate Risk Updated March 2026 192,517 residents

See Best Filters for Sioux Falls

Purity Score

Water from Sioux Falls's Big Sioux River and Missouri River supply carries notable mineral levels. This 2026 report covers hardness data, safety indicators, and filtration options matched to local conditions.

Water Quality Data

Not detected (2.5 ppb)

Very hard softener recommended.

Hard water in Sioux Falls

Chlorine

Medium

Affects taste and skin. Carbon filter removes it.

Learn about chlorine

TDS

Unknown

High TDS (>500 ppm) may affect taste.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS

Lead

2.5 ppb

Nitrate

1.8 mg/L

Arsenic

0.3 mg/L

Hardness

15.5 gpg

Health Insights

1
At 15.5 GPG, Sioux Falls's water qualifies as very hard. This can cause limescale in pipes and shorten appliance lifespan.
2
Chlorine levels may affect the taste of Sioux Falls's tap water. A carbon filter improves flavor.

Score

73 /100

Moderate

"Good" threshold (70)

Sioux Falls tap water is sourced from Big Sioux River and Missouri River and treated by City of Sioux Falls Water Purification Plant. Water hardness is very hard at 15.5 GPG which may cause scale buildup. TDS is 535 ppm which is above the EPA secondary guideline of 500 ppm. Overall purity score: 73/100 (Moderate). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Sioux Falls's 3 issues.

See Filters

MATCHED TO SIOUX FALLS'S WATER DATA

Best Water Filters for Sioux Falls, SD (2026)

Matched to Very Hard Water (15.5 GPG), Moderate Chlorine in Sioux Falls.

Very Hard Water (15.5 GPG) Moderate Chlorine

Best Overall #1 for Sioux Falls

AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener

Salt-Based Water Softener

$650-750

Why this fits Sioux Falls

Handles Sioux Falls's hard water (Very Hard Water (15.5 GPG))
Premium quality at $650-750

Pros & Cons +

48000 grain capacity handles very hard water

Digital metered valve saves salt

Requires salt refills monthly

Does not remove contaminants

Fix Your Water — Check Price

Best Value

Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher

Pitcher Filter

$80-95

Why this fits Sioux Falls

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Sioux Falls's water
NSF/ANSI 42 + NSF/ANSI 53 + NSF/ANSI 401 certified
Budget-friendly at $80-95

Pros & Cons +

No installation fill and pour

Removes 365+ contaminants including PFAS

Small capacity 2-3 people

Filter replacements every 4 months

Check Price on Amazon

Best for Taste

Waterdrop 10UA Under-Sink Filter

Under-Sink Carbon Filter

$40-60

Why this fits Sioux Falls

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Sioux Falls's water
NSF/ANSI 42 certified
Budget-friendly at $40-60

Pros & Cons +

Very affordable

Easy DIY install no plumber

Does not remove PFAS or hardness

Single point of use only

Check Price on Amazon

Also Recommended

Waterdrop G3P800 Tankless RO

Tankless Reverse Osmosis

$380-450

Why this fits Sioux Falls

Eliminates chlorine taste and odor from Sioux Falls's water
NSF/ANSI 58 + NSF 372 certified
Premium quality at $380-450

Pros & Cons +

No tank saves cabinet space

800 GPD fast flow rate

Higher upfront cost

Filter replacements are proprietary

Check Price on Amazon

As an Amazon Associate, PurityMap may earn from qualifying purchases. Based on latest Sioux Falls water data.

Full Filter Comparison for Sioux Falls

Know exactly what's in YOUR tap

City data shows averages. Your home may differ.

Test Your Water — $25-30

About Sioux Falls's Water

Sioux Falls Hard Water: Effects on Your Home

Hard water conditions in Sioux Falls (15.5 GPG) can leave white mineral deposits on fixtures, reduce soap lather, and gradually damage water-using appliances. Water heaters are particularly vulnerable: scale insulates the heating element, raising energy costs and reducing lifespan. A water softener exchanging calcium and magnesium for sodium eliminates scale formation throughout the home. For households concerned about sodium in drinking water, pairing a softener with an RO system at the kitchen tap is the standard approach.

Explore Sioux Falls Water Data

Sioux Falls Water FAQ

Is Sioux Falls SD tap water safe to drink in 2026?

Sioux Falls tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 73/100 (Moderate) on PurityMap for 2026. For most healthy adults the water is considered safe but point-of-use filtration adds an important layer of protection.

Does Sioux Falls SD use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?

Sioux Falls uses chloramine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.4 ppm. Chloramine is harder to remove than free chlorine and requires a catalytic carbon or reverse osmosis filter. Standard Brita-style pitchers will NOT remove chloramine.

How hard is Sioux Falls SD water and what is the TDS level?

Sioux Falls water hardness is 15.5 grains per gallon (very hard) with a TDS of 535 ppm (unacceptable). This level causes noticeable scale buildup in water heaters kettles and dishwashers. A water softener is recommended to protect plumbing and reduce soap usage.

Has PFAS been found in Sioux Falls SD drinking water?

Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Sioux Falls drinking water.

What is the best water filter for Sioux Falls?

Based on Sioux Falls's water profile, we recommend the AFWFilters 5600sxt 48000 Grain Softener. Sioux Falls has very hard water (15.5 GPG) and elevated chlorine. A whole-house carbon plus softener system handles both.

Nearby Reports

AberdeenSouth Dakota — 73/100 Rapid CitySouth Dakota — 85/100

All South Dakota cities

Explore Water Quality by State

Compare across all 50 US states

View All States

Data Sources

EPA SDWIS
EWG Tap Water Database
City of Sioux Falls Water Purification Plant CCR
USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

Link copied!