Has South Dakota set a goal for reducing water pollution in the state’s rivers and streams?

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's website hosts a multi-sectioned page about water quality.

Dirty rivers and streams? Minnesota isn't alone.

From what I gather from the South Dakota News Watch Fact Brief republished below, freedom rules here, along with some pretty dirty rivers and streams.

From South Dakota News Watch.

Has South Dakota set a goal for reducing water pollution in the state’s rivers and streams?
by Julie Bolding, South Dakota News Watch

No.

South Dakota’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources has not set specific targets for reducing water pollution in the state’s streams and rivers.

More than three-quarters (78%) of the stream-miles tested in South Dakota were found to be unhealthy for aquatic life, swimming and other beneficial uses, according to the department’s 2024 surface water quality report. Surface water is public property in South Dakota, not the property of landowners.

Major pollutants include fertilizer runoff from farm fields, soil erosion from agricultural operations and natural sources, and E. coli bacteria from livestock and wildlife feces.

South Dakota requires a permit to discharge pollutants into surface waters, but issues such as declining inspections and lapsed permits due to staffing issues have contributed to frequent violations.

The DANR has not responded to emails asking about statewide pollution reduction goals. Other states, including Minnesota and Iowa, have set statewide goals for pollution reduction.

This fact brief responds to conversations such as this one.

Sources

S.D. Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2024 South Dakota Integrated Report for Surface Water Quality Assessment

South Dakota law, SDCL 46-1-3 Water as property of people–Appropriation of right to use

Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, Goal to improve water quality in Minnesota by 25% by 2025

Iowa Public Radio, What does Iowa water quality look like after 10 years with the Nutrient Reduction Strategy?

South Dakota News Watch, Decline in freshwater mussels an indicator of poor river and stream health in South Dakota

South Dakota News Watch, Rivers at risk: Pollution problems persist as state oversight lags

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Photo: Big Sioux River algae.

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