Public Works Department

Recycling is taking items that have been traditionally thrown away that now are sent back to be re-manufactured. Recycling is not only the re-use of resources, but proves to be a significant energy saver. The City's "blue bin" recycling system collects the traditional plastic, steel, aluminum, and glass containers. We ask that all persons on our City residential collection system utilize their blue recycling bin to divert valuable items from being landfilled and lost forever. It has been estimated that the solid waste in our City's waste stream still contains approximately 160 tons of aluminum cans every year. Another interesting fact is that there are nearly 1,000 tons of high grade #1 and #2 plastic containers in our waste stream and we only recycle about 220 tons per year of these high grade plastics. We can do much better. Rapid City asks that you do your part to improve the environment and lead by example through recycling in your neighborhood and encouraging your friends and family to recycle.

If you have any questions regarding recycling please contact the Solid Waste Division of Public Works at 355-3496.

Water Feast and Water Famine

It appears that with all of the lush green grass, the hum of lawn mowers every evening, the amount of water running down Rapid Creek and the number of springs running in the Black Hills that the recent drought of eight years is over for our area. The key word here is appears. Although it appears the drought is over, one must be cautious about claiming the drought is over until Pactola Reservoir is full and the water tables in the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers return to more normal levels. During the last dry period that plagued our area in the late 1980's it took about two to three years of above normal precipitation for these two things to happen. One needs to take a wait and see approach when trying to predict the end of this drought. When it comes to moisture, our area can move from feast to famine and vice versa in a short period of time.

Below is a graph showing the capacity in acre-feet of Pactola Reservoir for the period 1/1/88 - 6/24/08. One acre-foot is 12" of water covering one acre of area or 325,829 gallons.

As shown in the above graph, full capacity for Pactola Reservoir is 56,000 acre-feet. You will notice how quickly Pactola recovered from the previous drought (1992-1994). Next year, if we have an average amount of snow pack in the Deerfield and Pactola drainage basins and experience another rainfall event similar to what happened this spring, Pactola could fill, which would be great.

So how has this wet, rainy spring affected water production from the City's wells and galleries? From January 1st - June 24th 2007, the Water Division pumped 1,620,777,200 gallons of water into the distribution system. From January 1st - June 24th of this year, the Water Division pumped 1,301,384,000 gallons of water into the system, which represents a decrease of 20% over last year. June 2007 average daily production was 15.2 million gallons per day. June 2008 average daily production has been 8.5 million gallons per day. The June 2008 daily production of 8.5 million gallons per day is very close to the 2007 average daily winter production of 7.2 million gallons per day. Water production for June of 2008 is 43% down compared to June of 2007.

Following is a graph showing the precipitation totals by the month comparing 2007 to 2008.

With a record of 9.7" of rain received in Rapid City for the month of May, it is no wonder that the 2008 water production is down 20% over 2007. This of course equals less revenue (minor famine) collected for the Water Enterprise Fund. Less revenue for 2008 is not a huge issue as water sales have been brisk throughout the drought. As of the end of May 2008, the balance of the fund was $4,901,566.

A 25% gain of the Pactola Reservoir's capacity during the months of May and June is wonderful for the City's water storage. Once the rainfall percolates through the limestone, the Madison and Minnelusa aquifer levels will also rise which is another benefit for the City. It appears that we are on the road to recovery from this extended drought.

This year's precipitation in our area has been a feast when it comes to the recovery of water in Pactola and a feast for the recharge of the local aquifers. The precipitation famine has had its grips on our area for approximately eight years. Feast on the precipitation that Rapid City has received because, living in a semi-arid part of the county, one knows from experience that the spigot could be shut off tomorrow and we could be back to the famine.

 

Robert Ellis, PE, PTOE
Public Works Director