CHALLENGES
Capacity, Constraints, and Impacting Factors Local water sources may be limited to further expansion due to water supply constraints, water quality, and treatment requirements. This requires communities and businesses to look further away for new potential water sources. As ground water and regional surface water sources are limited, the State will need to rely on consistent, reliable sources, such as the Missouri River, for water quantity and quality to support future growth. Future Challenges
Existing Challenges Regional sources may be limited due to fully allocated aquifers, or lack of water supply or surface water source. Water quality can be significantly different based on the source, which can result in requiring more or less treatment. Emerging contaminants will prompt future regulations requiring additional treatment measures. There are planned water projects within the State, including large projects such as Water Investment in Northern South Dakota (WINS) or Dakota Mainstem, but there is not a comprehensive plan for water sources in South Dakota for the next 50 to 100 years. Water allocations are based on data collected from aquifers using monitoring wells, the data is essential to making accurate assumptions about both recharge and draw of water in aquifers. Data is limited. More complete studies and data will provide stakeholders a better understanding of available water allocations. For example, some ground water monitoring wells are read manually. To collect data, a staff member or automatic reading equipment is needed, thus limiting the number of data points available. Additional digital monitors would increase availability of data and trends, while freeing staff for other priorities. Rural water systems were originally planned to supply water for residential growth in rural areas and not necessarily for economic development opportunities. As industrial and commercial development grows in rural areas, these rural water systems are limited by the available supply.
A better understanding of aquifers is needed to address water quality and quantity. This means fully supporting and enhancing the well monitoring program, which will provide the information needed to understand and quantify the impacts of practices like aquifer recharge, surface water recharge, and reuse. Further, as the State grows in population and economic growth, protecting sources of water is vital to ensure adequate supply.
98 | Water Rights
South Dakota Governor’s Office of Economic Development
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