Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA.
Is there PFAS in Aberdeen water?
Yes, at low levels. 1 PFAS was detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.
Aberdeen is a public water system drawing on surface water, based in Aberdeen, South Dakota, serving about 27,989 people. Under EPA's Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule it was tested for 29 PFAS and lithium 4 times across 1 sampling point between Jan 2023 and Oct 2023.
Every PFAS detected
| PFAS | Detected | Highest | Worst point avg | EPA limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PFBA Perfluorobutanoic acid |
3 of 4 | 8.1 ppt | 5.5 ppt | none |
Not detected: 9Cl-PF3ONS, NMeFOSAA, PFHxS, PFOS, PFDA, PFDoA, PFHxA, HFPO-DA, 11Cl-PF3OUdS, NEtFOSAA, ADONA, PFNA, PFUnA, PFMPA, PFBS, PFOA, 6:2 FTS, PFHpA, PFTrDA, 8:2 FTS, PFPeA, PFMBA, PFEESA, NFDHA, PFPeS, PFHpS, PFTA, 4:2 FTS.
Lithium, tested in the same program: highest 100 ppb, detected in 4 of 4 samples. EPA's health-based screening level is 10 ppb.
What the EPA limits mean here
In April 2024 EPA set enforceable limits of 4 ppt for PFOA and PFOS, 10 ppt each for PFHxS, PFNA and GenX, and a hazard index of 1 for mixtures. Utilities were given until 2029 to comply. In May 2026 EPA proposed keeping only the PFOA and PFOS limits and moving that deadline to 2031. Until that proposal is final, the 2024 limits stand.
Compliance is judged on a running annual average at each entry point, so we show the average at this system's worst sampling point next to its single highest result. UCMR 5 results do not by themselves put a utility in or out of compliance.
What you can do at home
Levels here are under EPA's limits, so no treatment is required. If you want them lower anyway, a certified reverse osmosis system under the sink handles drinking water, and a whole-house carbon filter also takes out the chlorine or chloramine your utility adds.
Other systems in South Dakota
- Brookings Municipal Utilities none detected
- Watertown Municipal Utilities none detected
- Web Water Development Association none detected
- Mitchell none detected
- Yankton none detected
- Huron none detected
All 49 tested systems in South Dakota
ZIP codes served
57401 57402
As reported by the utility to EPA. Neighbouring ZIPs are often split between systems; your water bill names yours.
Cite this page
Well & Tap. "PFAS in Aberdeen water: EPA UCMR 5 results." Data: U.S. EPA Fifth Unregulated Contaminant Monitoring Rule, final release August 2026, PWSID SD4600020. https://wellandtap.com/pfas/south-dakota/aberdeen/
About this data
Source: U.S. EPA, UCMR 5 occurrence data, final release August 2026 (PWSID SD4600020). Population: EPA SDWIS. Averages count results below the reporting level as zero, the same convention EPA uses for running annual averages. Full method.