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Is there PFAS in Aberdeen water?

Yes, at low levels. 1 PFAS was detected, all below EPA's 2024 limits.

Aberdeen Serves 27,989 people · 4 PFOA samples from 1 sampling point · Jan 2023 to Oct 2023 PFAS found, below EPA limits
PFOA Perfluorooctanoic acid not detected
EPA 4
PFOS Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid not detected
EPA 4

Also detected, no federal limit: PFBA.

Averages are for the worst sampling point, with non-detects counted as zero. Source: EPA UCMR 5.

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

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.