Drinking water is produced by certified staff at two water treatment plants that draw water from the Missouri River.  The protection of consumer health requires an ever-increasing level of sophistication in order to operate these water production facilities.  Increased regulations approved and enacted into law in 2006 will be imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency and the South Dakota Department of Natural Resources on water production facilities over the next three years.  There will be an increase in expenses required for the City of Yankton to provide its citizens with water.  Over 16,267 tests to identify 116 substances and water parameters were conducted in 2006.  The number of scheduled tests is to increase over the next two years.

Yankton water use continues to increase.  Production in 2006 totaled 920,000,000 gallons.  July was the peak month in 2006 with 142,470,000 being used. The peak day called for 6,340,000 gallons.  The City is investigating how more water can be produced to avoid water rationing.  Additional treatment capacity was last provided over thirty years ago by the construction of Water Treatment Plant No. 2. In addition to the expanded production capacity the existing water treatment plants are in need of upgrades.   A study was conducted in 2006 to help determine a direction that will optimize the capital expenditures that are anticipated in the next several years.  Additional water source investigations are underway to complement the completed water treatment plant improvement study.

An improvement project was completed in 2006 to the west raw water intake facility.  This improvement addressed the immediate need to increase the ability to lift water from greater depths of the Missouri River and was completed in anticipation of accommodating the new bridge over the Missouri River.

All employees must be certified to work at the water treatment facilities.  State approved training hours must be achieved each year to remain certified.

Kyle Goodmanson, Director of Environmental Services 
315 West Riverside Drive
PO Box 176
Yankton, SD 57078
Phone: (605) 668-5272