South Dakota Success Stories
New wastewater facility solves pollution problem
Where: Hill City, South Dakota, a small community of approximately 375 families in the Black Hills of western South Dakota near Mount Rushmore.
Problem: Leaking of pollutants from a three-cell lagoon wastewater system into the ground and subsequently into Spring Creek, named a Blue Ribbon/Cold Water fishery by the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks.
Solution: Midwest Assistance Program worked with state and federal agencies and the local planning district to finance and build a new advanced wastewater treatment facility.
Hill City’s three-cell lagoon wastewater system had been leaking pollutants into the ground and into Spring Creek, deemed a Blue Ribbon fishery by the South Dakota Game Fish and Parks. Tremendous growth, development, and the seasonal tourist industry resulted in extreme loading of the wastewater system during the summer. Midwest Assistance Program was contacted by former Senator Tom Daschle’s office to assist the community with finding affordable, sustainable and effective solutions to their problem.
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MAP worked with USDA Rural Development, EPA Region VIII, South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (SD DENR), Black Hills Council of Local Governments, Hill City officials and others to find a solution. MAP staff helped coordinate a public vote in Hill City, and voters overwhelmingly approved a bond issue to build a new wastewater facility.
MAP staff coordinated efforts to obtain funding for the approximately $4.5 million project. Hill City was able to obtain $3 million in federal grants and saved $613,000 to help finance the project. Residents will finance the loan for the remainder of the cost as well as the annual operating and maintenance costs through increased water and sewer fees. MAP staff will continue to work closely with state and federal agencies and Hill City officials through the construction of the facility and in communicating with and reporting to agencies and hiring wastewater treatment facility operators. This advanced facility is one of the most sophisticated in the region and requires a Class IV Operator.
For more information, contact:
Phone: 952-758-4334
Fax: 952-758-4336
E-mail: map@map-inc.org
MAP is a member of the RCAP network and an equal-opportunity lender, provider and employer.