Rural
Total 202 Posts
Half of the state's residents live outside of Sioux Falls and Rapid City, and South Dakota News Watch has a full-time reporter dedicated to covering those regions with stories that highlight its people.
Rivers at risk: Studies reveal health hazards in Rapid Creek, Big Sioux River
Two separate scientific studies released in the past year reveal serious human health concerns for South Dakota’s four most prominent waterways: Rapid Creek, the Big Sioux, Cheyenne and Missouri rivers.
One study showed that Rapid Creek and the Big Sioux River host genetic markers for the most dangerous form
Rivers at risk: State, cities place few limits on farm and urban runoff into rivers
Part of a series of stories examining river quality in South Dakota.
State response to Smithfield ammonia release criticized
Water quality advocates say the state of South Dakota acted prematurely in reporting last week that human health was not at risk from high ammonia releases at the Smithfield Foods plant in Sioux Falls.
The Department of Environment and Natural Resources filed limited public notice before the violations stopped and
Rivers at risk: Read about your city’s water pollution concerns
Every day, South Dakota’s 20 most populous cities dump 49.2 million gallons of treated human and industrial wastewater into state rivers and creeks. Here is a look at those 20 cities and how they process wastewater, what it costs, recent inspection results, and how much is dumped where.
Rivers at risk: Pollution problems persist as state oversight lags
Part of a series of stories examining river quality in South Dakota.
Bridge program pits S.D. counties against each other for limited money
South Dakota’s counties and cities are making progress in the overwhelming task of repairing and replacing hundreds of deteriorating bridges.
But the competition for state grant money that helps with costs is increasingly aggressive, in some cases pitting counties with more money against those who have little in the