Show All Answers

1. When the Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Pierre is complete, how much will my water improve?

The treatment process will remove iron and manganese from the treated water. Here's what that means for you.

• The treated water will no longer stain sidewalks, appliances, fixtures, etc.
• The hardness of the water will be reduced by about 30%; this will decrease the need for home softener salt.
• It will lessen the mineral taste some people notice in Pierre's current drinking water.

2. When the Drinking Water Treatment Facility is built in Pierre is complete, will the City's water quality be similar to the water produced by Mid-Dakota or Mni Wicon?i?

Yes. The Drinking Water Treatment Facility will remove the minerals from Pierre's water that currently differentiate Pierre's water from the water produced by the Mid-Dakota or Mni Wiconi systems.

3. How does Pierre's current water quality compare to Mid-Dakota or Mni Wiconi water quality?

All three systems supply drinking water that meets required federal and state drinking water standards.  Pierre's water contains manganese that causes brown staining; water produced by Mid-Dakota and Mni Wiconi does not contain manganese. Additionally, the concentrations of calcium and magnesium are approximately 30% higher in Pierre's water supply than in the water produced by Mid-Dakota and Mni Wiconi, making Pierre's water harder than the water supplied by the other systems.

4. When the Drinking Water Treatment Facility in Pierre is complete, will drinking water remain clear year round?

Yes. The treatment process will remove the minerals from the water that can cause water discoloration.

5. If the City does not build a drinking water treatment facility, will the quality of our current water source remain stable or will the quality deteriorate?

Over the past few decades, the well water quality has deteriorated, exhibiting increasing concentrations of minerals, hardness, and sulfate.  This deteriorating water quality trend is likely to continue as the wells age.  

6. Why does Pierre water turn sidewalks, appliances and fixtures a dark color?

Pierre’s water contains manganese and iron that forms dark deposits when it evaporates. 

7. Will the development of the Drinking Water Treatment Facility prevent the water from staining?

Yes. The treatment process would remove the minerals that cause staining.

8. Will the Drinking Water Treatment Facility damage my current plumbing?

No. Conversely, treated water tends to have fewer negative impacts on plumbing fixtures.