Water Testing at Earth Day Expo

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UIpijkuGoSkszoVUD0wsnYmk4S-SMA-a/edit

Sign up sheet for volunteers 

The Rotary Clubs of Rapid City and Rapid City Rushmore and the two Impact Clubs will join Rotary Clubs across 5 states and 5 Rotary districts for Earth Day, April 22, 2026, as part of the Unite for Water Initiative a collaborative effort focused on expanding access to clean water and sanitation.  Rotarians will create sustainable solutions that improve health, strengthen communities, andchange lives. 

Local Impact  

As part of this initiative, the Rotary Clubs will cleanup Rapid Creek areas, BH Playhouse grounds, area and highway cleanup, and do water tests for the local community. Through projects like this, Rotary  members work to create a cleaner environment that keeps plastics and other harmful substances out of our  water supplies. 

A Collaborative Rotary Effort  

The Unite for Water Initiative brings together Rotary Clubs from multiple districts across five states in a  coordinated effort to address one of the world’s most urgent needs — access to safe drinking water and  sanitation. By launching projects and raising awareness for Earth Day, Rotary members aim to demonstrate  the powerful impact of collective service. 

Local Projects Planned  

Rapid Creek Cleanup  

Saturday, April 11 Rapid Creek cleanup will be at 10 AM at Rapid Creek by Breadroot Coop. All ability groups  needed. Supplies are provided. Please dress for weather and wear gloves. 

Saturday May 9 Rapid Creek cleanup will be at the creek near Little Caesars on the west side. Right before  the cleanup will be yoga for anyone interested right there at Loam Yoga. What a hoot!  Organizers: Black Hills Flyfishers: Bill Young at 605-391-1002 and Chris Stover at 605-209-5678. Community Cleanup  

Saturday, April 25 Rapid City Clean-up on 44th Street in front of Stevens High School 10:30 AM. Meet in  overflow parking lot. 

Saturday, May 9 BH Playhouse Cleanup. 9 AM-3 PM.  

Saturday, May 16 Highway 16 Clean-up. 10:30 AM. Meet at church parking lot past Old McDonalds Farm.  This is part of SDDOT Adopt a Highway Program. 

Rotary Water Committee Members: Shawn Walters, Linda Peterson, Mary Kenner, Steve Bareis, Mikaela  Leners, Tim Trueblood, Julie Smoragiewicz. 

Water testing at the Earth Day Expo  

Saturday, April 25, 10 AM – 2 PM, Western Dakota Tech  

Location: EET Lab L126, Western Dakota Technical College 

Purpose: To offer water testing services (not certified) as a way to bring attention and understanding to water  quality issues in the Black Hills. It’s also a great opportunity to highlight the new partnership between WDT  and SDSMT for a degree in environmental engineering and the SDSMT Aqua Clim research project to develop  low cost water quality sensors. 

Volunteers must sign up on this link to select times and activities: Water testing volunteer signup or type in your browser: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UIpijkuGoSkszoVUD0wsnYmk4S-SMA-a/edit 

Organizers: David Holland, Tim Trueblood, and Quinton Olson, Rapid City Sustainability Committee, Alex Rosburg, WDT, Heidi Sieverding, SDSMT and Rapid City Sustainability Committee 

Logistics: Anyone can submit a water sample for testing. Cost is $10/sample. Pick up sample bottles and  instructions at Hay Camp Brewing on Friday, April 24 from 4:30-7:00 PM. Drop off samples to be tested at  Western Dakota Tech on Saturday, April 25 from 10 AM-1 PM. One group of volunteers will triage water  samples and return results. Another group will run tests in the laboratory. Students from WDT, SDSMT and  area high schools will also be helping in the laboratory.