3/25/2025 – Hydrant Flushing Notice – Flushing takes place at night during the hours of 10 p.m.-3 a.m.
Update: Starting tonight we will be flushing Zone 2. North East (north of Hwy 12, east to 7th St., north to inlcude Lakeview Addition, west to city limit around Farley Park)
3/21/2025 – Hydrant Flushing Notice – Flushing takes place at night during the hours of 10 p.m.-3 a.m.
The public works staff performs hydrant flushing throughout the year in Milbank. This procedure clears sediment from the water distribution lines and helps maintain water quality; the hydrants are also checked for maintenance issues.
Residents should refrain from washing laundry when flushing is done in or near their neighborhood, as the temporarily discolored water may cause laundry staining. Instead, on the day of flushing, it is recommended to run the cold water taps until the water runs clear before using the water. This will help clean out any sediment entering the home’s water lines.
Flushing takes place during the hours of 10 p.m. – 3 a.m.
2025 Spring Schedule*
-Week of March 24th – Zone 1 = South West (west of Hwy 15, properties boardering and south of Hwy 12 to city limit)
-Starting March 25th – Zone 2 = North East (north of Hwy 12, east to 7th St., north to include Lakeview Addition, west to city limit around Farley Park)
-Week of April 8th – Zone 3 = South Central (east of Hwy 15 to 7th St., south of 10th Ave. to southern city limit)
-Week of April 15th – Zone 4 = South East (east of 7th St. and south of 10th Ave. to include Valley View Addition, to south city limit)
-Week of April 22nd – Zone 5 = North Central (east of Hwy 15 between 7th St and 9th Street from 10th Ave. to the northern city limits, including Middlebrook Circle.
-Week of April 29th – Zone 6 = North East (east of Flynn south of Hwy 12, east of McBride north of Hwy 12 to city limit)
*Schedules are subject to change and may take longer than planned due to weather and other unforeseen circumstances.
3/7/2025 – 2024 Drinking Water Report Available
Last year, the City of Milbank monitored your drinking water for possible contaminants. This report is a snapshot of the quality of the water that we provided last year. Included are details about where your water comes from, what it contains, and how it compares to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state standards.
2/11/2025 – Flushing Notice – MULTIPLE AREAS
City personnel are flushing throughout Milbank today.
Water Appearance – rust?
The water appears rust colored.
At only one faucet: This is an indication of possible problems with the internal plumbing, not the water. Please call a plumber to investigate.
At all the faucets: This is an indication the coloration is coming from the water main that provides water to your building.
Flush your household plumbing:
- Remove aerators, or the screens, from the end of every faucet and rinse any particles from them.
- Start in the basement or lowest level and work your way to the top floor. Fully open each cold water tap and allow the water to run.
- Your water should be clear after 10 minutes. Start at the top floor and turn off the water at each faucet, finishing the basement.
- Re-attach aerators to the faucets.
If the water is discolored, continue flushing until clear. If it is still discolored after 30 minutes, please call the city office at (605) 432-9575.
Rusty water can stain laundry so if you see discoloration avoid washing laundry, particularly white items, until the water clears. If you see rust stains on your laundry, you may want to try a rust and iron stain remover product found in the laundry detergent section of stores. We do have some rust and iron remover on hand in the city office.
2/10/2025 – Water System Update Presentation by City Engineering Firm Banner Associates. https://www.bannerassociates.com/
City Engineer, Banner Associates, presented their plan for completing a water study. The information in the PDF below was discusses at the February Council Meeting.
Milbank Water System Evaluation – 2-10-25 – Reduced (PDF)
2/10/2025 – Flushing Notice
City personnel are flushing in the 8th Ave & Madison Street area this afternoon.
2/05/2025 – Water article was published in the Grant County Review Newspaper. https://www.grantcountyreview.com/
Article regarding chemicals used and fire hyrdant flushing.
1/16/2025 – Flushing Notice
City personnel are flushing Villa Lane and Vista Drive this afternoon.
1/15/2025 – Flushing Notice
City personnel are flushing 8th Avenue and Industrial Drive this evening.
Water is often discolored after water main flushing, but this should not last long. In the event customers draw discolored water into their home, flush a cold tap for a few minues. As a precaution, prior to using hot water run the cold water tap to ensure discolored water is not drawn into the hot water tank.
1/10/2025 – Flushing Notice
City personnel are flushing 3rd Street and Park Avenue this afternoon.
1/6/2025 – Flushing Notice
City personnel are flushing South 3rd Street this evening. Our Water page offers guideance for if your water appears colored.
1/3/2025 – Response to Lead Service Pipe Invetory Letters
The best way to verify the material of your service line is to complete the online survey at survey.sdwaterpipes.com.
The survey will walk you through where to find your service pipe. You should be checking the service pipe within the first 18 inches where it enters the home. This is generally in a basement, a crawl space, and/or in a utility room.
If you would like to know more about this inventory stage of the lead service line project, you can go to the FAQ’s page on the sdwaterpipes.com website.
What do you own? You own the entire service line including your curbstop.
No Financing Available The Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources and the State of South Dakota do not have any financing available. Currently the City of Milbank does not have any funds allocated for replacing your service line.
Ongoing If you don’t do the survey this year, we will continue to ask each year – please consider taking the survey so the inventory is accurate and for your own peace of mind.
1/2/2025 – Discolored water
City personnel completed the final water valve adjustments for the 5th Street project earlier this week. During initial testing, the water remained clear for 30 minutes, and the flushing operation was temporarily paused. However, we have since received reports of discolored water in the area. In response, personnel will resume flushing operations this afternoon to address the issue and ensure clear water is restored. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this matter.
The following is taken from our Water page regarding when water appears rust colored:
“The water appears rust colored.
At only one faucet: This is an indication of possible problems with the internal plumbing, not the water. Please call a plumber to investigate.
At all the faucets: This is an indication the coloration is coming from the water main that provides water to your building.
Flush your household plumbing:
- Remove aerators, or the screens, from the end of every faucet and rinse any particles from them.
- Start in the basement or lowest level and work your way to the top floor. Fully open each cold water tap and allow the water to run.
- Your water should be clear after 10 minutes. Start at the top floor and turn off the water at each faucet, finishing the basement.
- Re-attach aerators to the faucets.
If the water is discolored, continue flushing until clear. If it is still discolored after 30 minutes, please call the city office at (605) 432-9575.
Rusty water can stain laundry so if you see discoloration avoid washing laundry, particularly white items, until the water clears. If you see rust stains on your laundry, you may want to try a rust and iron stain remover product found in the laundry detergent section of stores. We do have some rust and iron remover on hand in the city office.”
1/1/2025 – Letters should be arriving in mailboxes starting this week (copies of letters below):
Lead Service Pipe Invetory Letter Water Service Line Unknown 12-19-2024
Lead Service Pipe Invetory Letter Water Service Line Lead 12-19-2024
12/25/2024 – Water article was published in the Grant County Review Newspaper. https://www.grantcountyreview.com/
12/19/2024 – Letters were mailed to property owners regarding the Lead Service Pipe Invetory.
As part of a nationwide initiative, South Dakota Public Water Suppliers and the SD Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), are asking residents to submit information on their water service pipe material. This initiative will allow water providers to document presence of lead service pipes in their systems.
Lead Service Pipe Invetory Handout
Complete the survey online at survey.sdwaterpipes.com
