Aquifer Recharge on the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Indian Reservation: A Pilot Project in Minnesota

In an effort to preserve groundwater quantity, the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community has developed a strategy to inject treated waste water into a quaternary gravel layer above the principal aquifer for the region.   The unique situation of the Community’s status as a sovereign nation has introduced regulatory complexities to the situation.  The state of Minnesota does not allow injection wells, but the Community is only subject to the regulatory provisions of the EPA which does allow such wells. 

Planning began in 2005 and has advanced to a well developed pilot project which includes increased tertiary treatment and laboratory analysis for emerging contaminants.  A combination of reverse osmosis, ultra violet light, and ozone treatments are being employed in varying configurations to determine the levels necessary to produce effluent with the lowest possible levels of emerging contaminants.  Lab results show that all tested parameters can be completely removed or reduced below detection levels through these treatment methods. 

Some neighboring local governing bodies have reacted positively while others have been reluctant to fully support the project.  The desired goal is to produce a situation where all impacted parties are able to reach a compromise that will allow the Community to see the project to completion while retaining the positive relationship that currently exists among the local organizations.