Milbank Secures Water Rights Amid Aquifer Strain Fears

The South Dakota Water Management Board unanimously granted a future use water permit to the City of Milbank on Wednesday. This decision followed opposition from the Grant-Roberts Rural Water System, which expressed concerns that Milbank's future water withdrawals could negatively impact the Antelope Valley Aquifer's recharge rate and existing wells.

The permit reserves water rights for Milbank but does not grant immediate access to additional water. The city must later apply for a water permit and demonstrate a "beneficial use" consistent with public interest. Future use permits are subject to review every seven years.

Milbank, a city of 3,500 in a growing region of northeastern South Dakota, is experiencing increased demand on its water and wastewater infrastructure. The city requested the right to draw an additional 1,120 acre-feet of water per year from the Antelope Valley Aquifer to support its development, which includes an expanding industrial park and a growing milk storage operation.

Engineers for the Grant-Roberts system argued that the requested withdrawal could "strain existing wells" and question the aquifer's readily accessible water. While state engineers determined there is enough water available, concerns remain about the aquifer's recharge and distribution. Milbank stated it is exploring multiple water sources and not relying solely on this permit.