SIOUX FALLS and RAPID CITY, S.D. (SDNW) -- Today South Dakota News Watch begins a series of stories examining the quality of South Dakota's rivers.
This first-of-its-kind examination reveals that the state’s rivers and creeks are dumping grounds for billions of gallons of human, agricultural and industrial waste each year.
From urban runoff and litter to municipal and industrial wastewater facilities that release millions of gallons of treated sewage and other chemicals into rivers each day, to agricultural operations that send nutrients and dangerous bacteria into waterways in large quantities, most South Dakota rivers are impaired due to pollution. Some, like Whitewood Creek, the Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers pose threats to human health.
And, according to new research, two of the state's most recognizable waterways - the Big Sioux River and Rapid Creek - hold genetic markers for mutated forms of E.coli bacteria that can lead to bloody diarrhea, kidney failure and death, even from ingestion of a single drop of contaminated water. Included in the reporting is a breakdown of the wastewater treatment processes, permit violations and other information from the 20 largest cities in South Dakota.
Next week, reporter Bart Pfankuch will provide a closer look at the influence of agriculture and mining on the quality of the state's rivers.
To read the full report, click here.
(KELO.com News news partner S.D. News Watch contributed this report.)