Source Water Protection
Clay Rural Water System is committed to the protection of your drinking water from the source to the tap.
Wakonda Source
The source of the water for the original system is the Vermillion aquifer. This aquifer is exposed at the lands surface along the Vermillion River valley. However, it is a substantial saturated (filled with water) thickness and extends under the bluffs on either side. This means that there is a lot of water in the aquifer. For more information on Clay Rural Water System's source water protection efforts please check out the documents below.
Wellhead Protection Timeline
Wellhead Protection Brochure
Land Use in Wellhead Protection Area
South Union Source
The source of the water for the South Union system is the Dakota Aquifer. This aquifer underlies two shallow aquifers in the area that are influenced by the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers. The Dakota aquifer is a deep, confined aquifer that lies 300’ to 800’ below lands surface. Its original recharge area can be traced to the Black Hills.
Clay RWS draws water from the Dakota Aquifer through two – 300’ wells located at adjacent to the Wynstone water treatment plant. The wells are capable of pumping 350 gallons per minute.
The SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a Source Water Assessment of the Wynstone source in 2003. The report gave the source a Susceptibility Rating of: Low. The only potential contaminant source was listed as cropland, which is considered a Non-point source of contamination. With the depth of the wells and their newer construction, the risk of contamination is minimal.
Below is a map showing the source water area for the South Union source.
Wakonda Source
The source of the water for the original system is the Vermillion aquifer. This aquifer is exposed at the lands surface along the Vermillion River valley. However, it is a substantial saturated (filled with water) thickness and extends under the bluffs on either side. This means that there is a lot of water in the aquifer. For more information on Clay Rural Water System's source water protection efforts please check out the documents below.
Wellhead Protection Timeline
Wellhead Protection Brochure
Land Use in Wellhead Protection Area
South Union Source
The source of the water for the South Union system is the Dakota Aquifer. This aquifer underlies two shallow aquifers in the area that are influenced by the Big Sioux and Missouri Rivers. The Dakota aquifer is a deep, confined aquifer that lies 300’ to 800’ below lands surface. Its original recharge area can be traced to the Black Hills.
Clay RWS draws water from the Dakota Aquifer through two – 300’ wells located at adjacent to the Wynstone water treatment plant. The wells are capable of pumping 350 gallons per minute.
The SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources conducted a Source Water Assessment of the Wynstone source in 2003. The report gave the source a Susceptibility Rating of: Low. The only potential contaminant source was listed as cropland, which is considered a Non-point source of contamination. With the depth of the wells and their newer construction, the risk of contamination is minimal.
Below is a map showing the source water area for the South Union source.
