Is Rapid City tap water safe to drink?

Yes with good quality

Rapid City's tap water meets all EPA standards and scores well on our analysis. It is generally safe to drink though filtration can improve taste and provide extra precaution.

85/100
Purity Score
1
Issues Found
5.2 GPG
Hardness
Not detected
PFAS

1 Issue Detected in Rapid City

Arsenic Approaching Limit (0.2 mg/L)

EPA limit is 0.010 mg/L.

Arsenic info for Rapid City
South Dakota

577,015,770,257,703 · Rapid Creek and Pactola Reservoir

Rapid City Drinking Water Quality Report

Low Risk Updated March 2026 74,703 residents
See Best Filters for Rapid City
85
Purity Score

This 2026 water quality report for Rapid City compiles data from EPA SDWIS, EWG testing records, and the Rapid City Water consumer confidence report. Scores, contaminant levels, and matched filter recommendations are below.

Contaminant Levels

PFAS
ND
Lead
1.5 ppb
Nitrate
0.5 mg/L
Arsenic
0.2 mg/L
Hardness
5.2 gpg

Health Insights

  • 1
    Rapid City's water meets current EPA standards. Filtration can improve taste and provide extra safety.

Score

85 /100
Excellent
"Good" threshold (70)

Rapid City tap water is sourced from Rapid Creek and Pactola Reservoir and treated by Rapid City Water. Overall purity score: 85/100 (Excellent). Updated for 2026.

Fix Your Water

Best filters matched to Rapid City's 1 issue.

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Explore Rapid City Water Data

Forever Chemicals in Rapid CityPFAS water report
Lead Risk in Rapid CityLead water report
Rapid City Hardness ReportScale and minerals
Best FiltersFull comparison
South DakotaState rankings

Rapid City Water FAQ

Is Rapid City SD tap water safe to drink in 2026?
Rapid City tap water meets EPA federal drinking water standards and scores 85/100 (Excellent) 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 Rapid City SD use chlorine or chloramine for disinfection?
Rapid City uses chlorine as the primary disinfectant with a residual level of 1.0 ppm. Standard activated carbon filters including pitcher filters are effective at removing free chlorine taste and odor.
How hard is Rapid City SD water and what is the TDS level?
Rapid City water hardness is 5.2 grains per gallon (moderate) with a TDS of 180 ppm (fair). This level is unlikely to cause significant scale buildup in household plumbing.
Has PFAS been found in Rapid City SD drinking water?
Based on available EPA UCMR5 monitoring data as of 2026 PFAS have not been detected above EPA advisory levels in Rapid City drinking water.
What is the best water filter for Rapid City?
Based on Rapid City's water profile, we recommend the Clearly Filtered Water Pitcher. Rapid City water scores well overall. A pitcher filter provides extra precaution and improves taste for drinking and cooking.

Nearby Reports

Sioux FallsSouth Dakota — 73/100AberdeenSouth Dakota — 73/100

All South Dakota cities

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Data Sources

  • EPA SDWIS
  • EWG Tap Water Database
  • Rapid City Water CCR
  • USGS monitoring data

PurityMap compiles public data. Updated March 2026.

© 2026 PurityMap. For informational purposes only.

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