Improving Aquatic Life Habitat with Wastewater Adapted from Information by Sanford Underground Research Facility The Sanford Underground Research Facility (SURF) operates on what was once the deepest gold mine in North America. The former mine is now home to one of the country’s leading science, engineering, and educational facilities. Although mining doesn’t take place at the site today, water from the surface continues to run through 370 miles of old mine shafts, tunnels, and workings at the facility. Keeping the underground laboratory dry is vital to several world-class experiments happening at the research facility, so the water is constantly being pumped back to the surface and treated at an on-site wastewater treatment plant. This water contains concentrations of iron and other naturally occurring contaminants which must be removed before it is discharged downstream in Gold Run Creek. For the past 16 years, researchers have studied the health of the aquatic ecosystem in the creek downstream from the water discharge. The most recent study indicates the facility’s release of treated water has actually improved the habitat for downstream aquatic life. “As in the previous 15 years of monitoring, 2024 aquatic biomonitoring showed that Gold Run Creek downstream from SURF’s Wastewater Treatment Plant discharge supports more robust aquatic communities than upstream of the discharge,” said Bonita Goode, Environmental Manager at SURF. “The data collected over the study period indicate that the continuous discharge of water benefits populations of small aquatic animals that live on the bottom of the creek, as well as communities of algae, bacteria, and fungi that attach to submerged surfaces.” Plant operators are on duty 365 days a year conducting daily water testing for contaminants like ammonia and total suspended solids. SURF also treats water from the legacy Grizzly Gulch tailings impoundment, which is still owned by the former mining company. SURF treats between 500 and 1500 gallons of water per minute, about half a billion gallons per year, including a mix of the underground and tailings impoundment water. “Those of us who work at SURF also live or recreate in the same downstream communities this water flows through. Clean water is imperative for us all, and we are proud of the ongoing record of protecting and improving these waterways for future generations,” said Mike Headley, Executive Director of the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority and Laboratory Director at SURF. Headley also pointed out, with protection of the environment as one of SURF’s core values, the facility is dedicated to preserving water quality in the Black Hills for decades to come. Wastewater treatment and monitoring of the discharged water, along with dewatering the underground laboratory space, will be necessary for as long as the facility is operational. Editor’s Note: In between our print issues, the WWDR Team prepares an electronic newsletter called E-News Flash by WorldWide by WorldWide Drilling Resource®. This newsletter is filled with articles not included in our print issue. Based on readership, this was the most popular article of the month. Get in on the action and subscribe today at: worldwidedrillingresource.com The wastewater treatment facility at SURF has treated more than ten billion gallons of water in the past 16 years. Photo by Stephen Kenny. WTR SUDOKU June Puzzle Solution: HYENA WATCH HONEY LEASH HEAVY POUCH HOVER HITCH Win a prize! Send completed puzzle to: WWDR PO Box 660 Bonifay, FL 32425 fax: 850-547-0329 or e-mail: michele@ worldwidedrillingresource.com Time for a Little Fun! Congratulations to: Amber, Natalie, and Joe Amber, Natalie, and Joe at Looptech Geothermal in Sanger, TX Winners for June! 28 JULY 2025 WorldWide Drilling Resource®
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