South Dakota water providers racing to locate lead water pipes ahead of federal deadline

DANR, water systems required by EPA to get inventory of lead pipes that remain in use

The clock is ticking on water providers across South Dakota to locate any lead pipes still being used by governments, businesses, and residents.

Cities and rural water utilities throughout the country are facing a late 2024 deadline to provide the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency with an inventory of lead pipes remaining in their jurisdictions. And in South Dakota, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources along with its permitted water systems are asking residents to help.

That means that businesses and residents in buildings old and new will be expected in the coming months to submit information to DANR and their water providers about the type of materials used in their water pipes.

“We’re asking everybody to come together to do this, and the big benefit is to the waters consumers,” said Ted Lewis, an environmental engineer with the city of Sioux Falls Public Works Department’s water division. “They, themselves can find out what kind of pipe they have and have confidence that their home or their business is safe from the potential contaminant of lead.”

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