SDSU Extension hopes to empower South Dakotans through water use survey

Sushant Mehan wants to know what South Dakotans think about water. 

Mehan, assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering and South Dakota State University Extension Water Resource Engineer Specialist, is researching water in various ways, including how water affects plant growth and what the future of crop production looks like across the Great Plains as moisture levels fluctuate. 

One of his top priorities in 2025, however, is finding out how South Dakotans use and value the state’s water resources. To find out, SDSU Extension has partnered with the SDSU School of Design, supported by the East Dakota Water Development District and Vermillion Basin Water Development District, to distribute a region-wide survey, available online at the project page.

Begun in summer 2024, the survey is open until Aug. 31, 2025, and will help prioritize future research and outreach. One of Mehan’s chief goals with the survey is to empower the people of South Dakota to advocate for themselves and the priorities in their communities.

“As a scientist, I can bring many solutions to a water issue in the state, but with the community involved in decision-making, we can have the best solutions,” Mehan said. “Community in collaboration with science can really generate some wonders.”

Mehan thinks about water concerns in two loose categories – chronic and acute. Acute issues, like the flooding that swept across eastern South Dakota in spring 2024, are easy to identify and must be dealt with quickly. It can be harder to tackle chronic issues, like high levels of nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorous and others, in lake water. People are aware of them, Mehan said, but don’t always know what to do

Mehan and SDSU Extension Community Vitality will start outreach across the state based on the survey results. He wants to educate South Dakotans on the resources that are already available to them – what to watch for, how to get their water tested, when to use a certified lab versus a non-certified lab and what those results mean.

“Once they know where the things are, they will feel empowered to address or raise appropriate concerns about water challenges,” he said. 

Water use and concerns span rural and urban communities, Mehan noted. Agricultural concerns can include higher levels of bacteria, like E. coli, where cattle enter waterscapes, or higher levels of nitrogen from crop runoff. In urban areas, tiny plastic particles known as microplastics can cause health problems. 

Mehan is also keeping an eye on national concerns, such as the presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, known as PFAS or “forever chemicals” that have been found in water, air, fish and soil across the globe and may be linked to health issues. Some have been detected in the state, but Mehan said there is still little to no information available about PFAS in South Dakota. 

No matter what people identify, Mehan said solutions to water issues will require long-term, interdisciplinary efforts that look at the entire picture with the input of as many South Dakotans as possible.

“Research and educational priorities must not be imposed onto South Dakotans.” Mehan said. “Their own voice is invaluable, and SDSU Extension and SDSU are all ears to hear them through this survey.”

For more information, contact Sushant Mehan, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Water Resource Engineer Specialist. 

PHOTO: Sushant Mehan, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Water Resource Engineer Specialist, conducts water quality sampling at Skunk Creek near Sioux Falls. (Photo courtesy of Sushant Mehan)