Inspection data from the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources reveals that from 2012 through 2016, 712 water systems across South Dakota were cited 2,673 times for water-quality or system violations that potentially affected a total of 334,300 people.
Is it OK to drink tap water in South Dakota?
In most cases, however, tap water generated by the state’s 650 drinking-water systems fall well within guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for safe consumption of lead, copper, nitrates, arsenic, radium, uranium, and a chlorine sanitation byproduct called trihalomethanes.
Does South Dakota have good water?
South Dakota does not suffer from a lack of ground water. The problems are that the water-producing units may be deep (very expensive drilling and well installation), may have undesirable water quality, or may not yield the desired quantity of water where it is needed.
Does South Dakota have clean water?
South Dakota has developed surface water quality standards for all waters of the state, as required by the Clean Water Act. South Dakota’s water quality standards are designed to protect public health and welfare, enhance the quality of water, and uphold the goals of the federal Clean Water Act.
Does South Dakota have water?
South Dakota ranks 17th in size among the 50 states and has one of the smallest populations in the nation. South Dakota water supply comes from surface water, such as the Missouri River, and groundwater.
Is South Dakota in a drought?
Drought conditions have expanded across South Dakota, with 72% of the state in Moderate Drought, 42% in Severe Drought and 11% in Extreme Drought. Click the image below to visit the Drought Monitor website for South Dakota specifically.
Where does South Dakota get its water?
ground water
Approximately 78% of all public water supplies in South Dakota obtain their drinking water from ground water. The majority of this water is produced from wells in shallow aquifers.
Is Sioux Falls water safe to drink?
Is the water in Sioux Falls safe to drink? Yes! The drinking water in Sioux Falls complies with all federal and state drinking water standards. The water is tested on a daily basis, even for potential contaminants that are not currently regulated by the federal government.
Does Rapid City have hard water?
The average hardness level for Rapid City water is: 273 mg/L. For more information, please contact: 1-800-684-0979.
Where does Sioux Falls get its water?
Sioux Falls uses water from 55 wells along the Big Sioux River and Middle Skunk Creek aquifers, along with the Lewis and Clark Reservoir and, in some instances, the Big Sioux River.
Where does Rapid City SD get its water?
Sources Of Drinking Water in Rapid City, South Dakota
We utilize eight wells that draw water from the Minnelusa and Madison Aquifers. Rapid City also utilizes surface water from Rapid Creek, which originates in the Rapid Creek drainage area west of Rapid City. This source includes the Deerfield and Pactola Reservoirs.
What is South Dakota’s climate?
South Dakota has a continental climate with four distinct seasons, ranging from cold, dry winters to warm and semi-humid summers. During the summers, the state’s average high temperature is often close to 90 °F (32 °C), although it cools to near 60 °F (16 °C) at night.
What makes South Dakota unique?
It was the 40th state to join the Union in 1889 and encompasses 77,123 square miles, averaging 10 people per square mile. South Dakota boasts more miles of shoreline than the state of Florida and the highest point in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. State Slogan: “Great Faces. Great Places.”
What aquifers exist in South Dakota?
The major bedrock aquifers in the Black Hills area are the Deadwood, Madison, Minnelusa, Minnekahta, and Inyan Kara aquifers. Minor bedrock aquifers occur in other hydrogeologic units, including confining units, due to fracturing and interbedded permeable layers.
Why is South Dakota so dry?
Rivers and reservoirs in South Dakota aren’t as deep these days and the soil is dry. Typically run-off from snowmelt runs into rivers and tributaries that feed the Missouri River. It’s the same with most rain.
How dry is it in South Dakota?
So where do conditions in South Dakota rank compared to the rest of the country? Stacker has the state ranked as the 18th driest in the U.S., with nearly half of the state’s land (33,776 square miles/43.8 percent) is experiencing moderate to extreme drought conditions.
How long has South Dakota been in a drought?
Drought in South Dakota from 2000–Present
Since 2000, the longest duration of drought (D1–D4) in South Dakota lasted 349 weeks beginning on December 4, 2001, and ending on August 5, 2008. The most intense period of drought occurred the week of October 9, 2012, where D4 affected 32.57% of South Dakota land.
What is water hardness?
The simple definition of water hardness is the amount of dissolved calcium and magnesium in the water. Hard water is high in dissolved minerals, largely calcium and magnesium. You may have felt the effects of hard water, literally, the last time you washed your hands.
