Resident urges action on water quality, septic impacts and regional withdrawals

Frank Burkel of 905 South 6th Street addressed the council during public comment and called for stronger local action to protect groundwater and surface water. Referencing a 2017 city resolution on water protection he had previously given to the council, Burkel said synthetic chemicals, fertilizers and herbicides are threats to the city's water supplies and urged the council to address multiple sources of contamination.

Burkel said regional withdrawals — naming Rapid City’s permitted withdrawal from the Madison aquifer (referred to in the meeting as the 'Maloosa') — are depleting groundwater faster than recharge and are therefore a community concern. He also cited elevated fecal coliform bacteria in the Fall River and suggested septic tanks in Hot Brook Canyon as a primary suspect for human fecal contamination.

Burkel contrasted what he described as the council’s opposition to uranium mining with a broader need to address other water risks, saying the council should 'act like they're serious' about water protection beyond the mining issue. He encouraged the public to watch a recorded hearing he referenced and made broader comments about civic process at prior hearings.

Council members thanked Burkel for his comments and did not make immediate commitments to policy action during that meeting. The council will consider water issues as part of future agenda items when staff or council members bring formal proposals, and residents may follow up through future public-comment opportunities or by petitioning for agenda items.