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Water Damage Restoration in Sioux Falls, SD

Owning a home or business is one of the hallmarks of living the American Dream. While there are many fulfilling and positive aspects of owning property, one of the challenges that owners face is property damage. This type of damage can be caused by a range of disasters, both man-made and natural. Of all the types of property damage, water damage is among the most common.

Whether from broken pipes or heavy thunderstorms, it doesn't take a professor from University of Sioux Falls in Sioux Falls to know that water damage can be incredibly harmful to your home. Water can spread quickly throughout your property, causing damage to furniture and porous materials as it moves. In the blink of an eye, you could be looking at substantial rotting, warping, and even mold growth. That's why water damage restoration in Sioux Falls, SD is so important - to mitigate the damage to your home and help prevent it from happening in the future.

Trying to overcome flooding and other water-related disasters on your own can seem like a lost cause. But with Disaster Response by your side, you don't have to lose hope. As a local water damage clean-up company, we provide comprehensive restoration services to properties of all sizes in Sioux Falls. From the first time we assess your water damage to the time we mitigate and restore, we're here for you.

Disaster Review

What Our Clients Are Saying

Dealing with property damage can be overwhelming. You're likely concerned about a few key things:

insurance claim process
Navigating the insurance claim process

We guide you through every step, ensuring you understand the process and get the most out of your claim.

quality completion
Scheduling for a quick and quality completion

We provide a clear timeline for restoration, prioritizing both speed and quality, so you can get back to normal as soon as possible.

You might also be thinking about:

safety and health

Ensuring the safety and health of your family or employees during the restoration: Our team takes all necessary precautions to protect the safety and health of everyone involved, using the latest techniques and equipment.

assessment

Understanding the full scope of the damage and what needs to be done:We conduct a thorough assessment of the damage and provide a detailed plan of action, so you know exactly what to expect.

expenses

Knowing the costs upfront and avoiding unexpected expenses: We provide transparent pricing and a detailed estimate before any work begins, so there are no surprises along the way.

structural

Preventing future issues, such as mold growth or structural problems: We don't just fix the visible damage—we address the root causes to prevent future issues, giving you peace of mind.

Protecting

Protecting your belongings and valuables from further damage: We take extra care to safeguard your possessions during the restoration process, minimizing any further impact.

You might also be thinking
might also be thinking
Minimizing

Minimizing disruption to your daily life or business operations: We work efficiently and flexibly to reduce the disruption to your routine, allowing you to continue with your life or business as smoothly as possible.

trustworthy

Finding a trustworthy team to handle your property with care: Our experienced and highly-trained professionals treat your property as if it were their own, ensuring the highest standard of care.

Ensuring

Ensuring the job is done right the first time: We pride ourselves on doing the job right the first time, using industry-leading techniques and thorough quality checks to ensure lasting results.

updates

Receiving clear communication and updates throughout the restoration process: We keep you informed every step of the way, providing regular updates and clear communication, so you're never left in the dark.

involved

Ensuring the safety and health of your family or employees during the restoration: Our team takes all necessary precautions to protect the safety and health of everyone involved, using the latest techniques and equipment.

At Disaster Response

At Disaster Response, It's All About You

Like Old Courthouse Museum in Sioux Falls, Disaster Response has been a pillar of the community for years. As a second-generation disaster response company, we know that our work is never about us. At its most basic, it's always about you—your situation, your needs, and your satisfaction. We engineer our processes to help you quickly recover from water floods and disasters. Our total focus is on you, our valued customer. And that, in a nutshell, is what makes Disaster Response one of the most trusted and highly-rated water restoration companies in Sioux Falls.

Instead of focusing on profit, bottom lines, and yearly projections, we make you our priority. That's why we're serious about providing expert-level disaster preparedness and response services when you need them the most. Could you imagine trying to decipher misleading fine print or dealing with a pushy salesperson when you're just trying to get your life back together? That's not the Disaster Response way, and it never will be.

We don't just clean up after water leaks, floods, or other disasters; we go above and beyond by providing a consultative approach that serves you for years to come. We assist you in dealing with insurance adjusters to ensure you get the coverage you deserve without unnecessary delays. We make it a point to meticulously review every detail of your claim and work hard to make sure adjusters understand the full extent of your losses. We can also provide guidance on how and when to engage a public adjuster to bypass inefficiencies in the insurance process. At the end of the day, we strive to provide peace of mind during your difficult time and work tirelessly to get your property back to its pre-loss condition.

The Disaster Response Difference

number-one

Professional Technicians, Technology, and Processes

In fact, we'll dispatch a team of water disaster technicians to you within three minutes. We'll also advise you on what can be done to minimize the water damage in your home or business. Our water damage restoration team will use cutting-edge technology and IICRC-approved methods to restore as much of your property as possible.

number-two

Insurance Advocacy

Disaster Response works one-on-one with you and your insurance provider to expedite the claims process and get your home back to normal as soon as possible.

number-three

Satisfaction Guaranteed

We're proud of our work and stand behind every project we complete. Our goal is to exceed expectations and provide peace of mind throughout every step of your water damage restoration process. If you're not satisfied for any reason, we'll listen to your concerns and work tirelessly to rectify any issues that need addressing.

Disaster-Response Difference
Guide-Water-Damage.png

Your Guide to Water Damage Restoration in Sioux Falls, SD

Water damage restoration is a key step in remediating damage to your home, both structurally and aesthetically. Damage from water doesn't just affect the walls, floors, and ceilings in your home. It can also cause deeper issues that, when untreated, can weaken your foundation significantly and lead to long-term instability.

As if that weren't enough, water damage can present health hazards to your friends, family, and pets. Mold and bacteria can grow in damp areas after water incidents, causing allergies, respiratory problems, and even visits to Grand Living At Lake Lorraine in Sioux Falls for examination. Ignoring water damage can also result in irreversible harm to your belongings, including furniture, electronics, and sentimental items, leading to financial loss and emotional distress. Professional water clean-up services can repair the damage to your property, help protect valuable assets, and re-establish your home or business as a safe, healthy environment for occupants.

What Makes Our Water Damage Company in Sioux Falls, SD, Different from Others?

One of the most common questions we get at Disaster Response is, "What separates you from other water damage clean-up companies in Sioux Falls?" The first and easiest answer to that question centers around our commitment to customer service. We hold our clients in high regard because, without them, there would be no Disaster Response. As such, we work tirelessly to provide them with quality work from friendly and helpful technicians, regardless of the size of their home or business.

But that's just the start. Our clients recommend friends and family to our business because we prioritize the following:

Investing-damage

Cost

Investing in damage restoration for your home is a smart move that can help reduce long-term costs. The best part? Our services are covered by insurance companies, so there's less worry about paying out of pocket.

specialized training

Technicians

Every member of our team has years of experience, specialized training, and certifications in handling water damage. We prioritize our customers' well-being and meticulously attend to every detail to prevent any potential mold-related issues in the future. From single-family homes to

disasters happen quicker

Time

Water disasters happen quicker than you might think. One moment, you're enjoying family time at Falls Park in Sioux Falls. The next, you're pulling in your driveway to a flooded home. When you call our office, we'll get to work assessing the cause of your water damage and how extensive the water damage is in your home or business. From there, we'll dispatch a team of IICRC water damage restoration experts to your location.

significant investments

Tools

Disaster Response has made significant investments in cutting-edge water damage equipment, including inspection tools that enable thorough water removal. Our technicians have undergone extensive training to operate these machines and know when and when not to use them.

helping with water damage

Process

For over 40 years, we have been helping with water damage issues, refining our process along the way. We can quickly find hidden damages that others might miss and document everything for your insurance company.

Reliable Water Damage

Reliable Water Damage Restoration Network

We aren't afraid to ask for help if it means a safer, more enjoyable environment for your family or customers. In fact, we have access to a network of industry pros who are experts in a range of water damage services. To make your life a little easier, we also work with insurance professionals who assist with the claims process.

What Does Disaster Response Fix?

As an IICRC-certified water damage contractor in Sioux Falls, SD, our technicians can address several areas of your home or business that have been damaged by a water disaster.

  • Floors: It's very important to take the necessary time and steps to effectively dry your floors to prevent any potential water damage and mold growth in the future.
  • Walls: Depending on the amount of water that enters your business or home, the structural integrity of your property may be at stake. Our technicians will evaluate the situation, inspect your property, and replace materials damaged by water.
  • Rugs: If your rugs get wet during flooding or from another water disaster, they may be salvageable. We'll work hard to save all the rugs in your property.
  • Furniture: Your furniture is probably expensive and may hold a certain level of sentimental value. Instead of throwing it away or donating it to Queen Bee Mill Ruins in Sioux Falls, we can repair and restore it.
Disaster Response Fix

Disaster Response specializes in every kind of damage caused by rain, wind, or snowstorms. We handle water damage, mold, mildew, and more, and can be at your home or office within an hour of your call to assess the situation and put a water damage restoration plan into action.

What Tools Does Disaster Response Use for Water Damage Clean-Up?

We only use the best equipment! With our extensive experience in the Sioux Falls restoration industry, we've acquired state-of-the-art tools designed to tackle a wide range of challenges. This experience has also allowed our technicians to identify which type of equipment is best for a particular situation. Some of the most common water damage restoration tools we use include:

Infrared

Infrared Cameras

Our infrared cameras give us the ability to see moisture in walls and ceilings that is not visible to the naked eye, almost like having "X-ray" vision. This capability allows us to detect and address trapped and hidden humidity, significantly reducing the risk of mold growth.

Moisture

Moisture Meters

We use moisture meters to measure moisture levels in cellulose material. Before and after the drying process, we will conduct moisture readings in all areas of your property. If we detect moisture in an unaffected area of your building, we'll get to work quickly to dry it.

Air Movers

Air Movers

This equipment is designed to work in conjunction with our dehumidifiers. While our dehumidifiers extract moisture from the air and convert it to a liquid, our Air Mover helps to circulate this moisture in the air so that the dehumidifier can effectively remove it.

Generators

Ozone Generators

These advanced tools enable us to cleanse affected surfaces and the air in a more effective manner. Ozone Generators work by causing oxygen molecules to implode, making them a valuable deodorization tool.

Xtractor

Xtreme Xtractor

This tool is great for tackling tough moisture after water damage. It allows us to apply direct pressure to a surface, like a carpet, that has soaked up water. The pressure helps draw out the water, making it easier to remove.

Top 3 Types of Water Damage You Should Know About

Water damage can strike without warning and can wreak havoc on your property, leaving you feeling hopeless and overwhelmed. Whether it's from a burst pipe, a severe storm, or an overflowing appliance, your property needs immediate water damage clean-up in Sioux Falls, SD, to prevent further harm. Here are the top three types of water damage you should know about:

Clean Water Damage

Clean Water Damage

Clean

This type of water damage happens from a "clean" source, such as rainwater or a broken pipe in your home. It's easier to clean up than others on this list but can still cause extensive property damage when ignored.

Gray Water Damage

Gray Water Damage

Gray-Water

Gray water damage stems from appliances such as toilets without feces, washing machines, and dishwashers. Gray water sometimes contains bacteria and contaminants that can make you or your family sick.

Black Water Damage

Black Water Damage

Black-Water

The name alone indicates the severity of this type of water damage. It's caused by backed-up sewer lines, river flooding, and standing water that supports bacteria growth. Black water presents serious health hazards and needs to be handled by professional water damage contractors.

If you suspect your home or business has been damaged by one or more of the types of water above, take the following steps:

Stop the Source of Water
  • Be Safe: Turn off all electricity running through your property. Don't go near or touch any water you believe to be contaminated.
  • Stop the Source of Water: If you're able, put a stop to the water at its source. That way, you can prevent more damage.
  • Call Disaster Response: Contact our water damage company ASAP for water restoration services. Our team is available 24/7 to respond to emergencies.

Our Process for Water Damage Restoration in Sioux Falls, SD

Having a water damage restoration company by your side who knows how to remediate moisture is a key factor in getting your life back on track. At Disaster Response, we have refined our process over 40+ years of water damage clean-up experience. That way, we can provide customers with reliable, comprehensive service when they need it the most.

We utilize powerful pumps and vacuums to eliminate standing water from your property. Swift water removal is essential in minimizing damage and lowering the likelihood of mold growth. Our team is dedicated to ensuring efficient water extraction to prevent any additional complications.

After extracting water from your property, we dry and dehumidify the impacted areas. We use industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers to do so to eliminate moisture from walls, floors, and furniture. Proper drying helps prevent warping, swelling, and the growth of mold.

Whenever we deal with water damage, we have to address the potential contaminants and bacteria that can enter your home. We make sure to thoroughly clean and sanitize all affected areas to create a safe living environment. This involves cleaning carpets, upholstery, and personal belongings. Our technicians also use antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold and bacterial growth.

The final step in the process is the restoration of your home to its pre-damage condition. This comprehensive restoration process may encompass a range of tasks, from minor repairs such as replacing drywall and installing new carpeting to major reconstruction efforts. Rest assured that Disaster Response is fully equipped to manage all aspects of water damage restoration, from start to finish.

  • Maintenance: Have your business or home's roof, appliances, and plumbing inspected by professionals to spot early signs of wear and tear.
  • Water Alarms: If there is a flood or leak in your home, a water alarm can alert you so that you can take action immediately.
  • Drainage: Your home needs proper drainage systems in place at all times. To prevent water buildup, be sure to unclog your downspouts and gutters.
  • Cracks and Gaps: Be sure to seal up any cracks and gaps in your property's foundation to limit water from getting inside.
Disaster Response Fix

The Water Damage Company in Sioux Falls, SD, You Can Trust

When you want a great steak, you don't go to a fast-food joint and expect a filet. You go to a Minervas Restaurant in Sioux Falls. When you need quality disaster response services from licensed professionals, you don't go to a fly-by-night shop. You contact Disaster Response.

As a local water damage clean-up business, we believe that providing clients with effective service that they can rely on in times of stress is of utmost importance. While some of our competitors prioritize profits over people, you can rest easy knowing we care about you - and that's something you can always count on when you choose our water damage company.

Whether a pipe has burst in your commercial space and your showroom is flooding, or your home has standing water from a Sioux Falls rainstorm, we're here for you 24/7. Contact our office to learn more about the Disaster Response difference or to schedule an inspection for your property today.

Contact Your Emergency Disaster Response Now!

Latest News in Sioux Falls, SD

South Dakota, Iowa & Minnesota Store Offers Big Thanksgiving Deal

A major grocery store with locations in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa is helping families get ready for Thanksgiving Day by offering huge meal savings....

A major grocery store with locations in South Dakota, Minnesota, and Iowa is helping families get ready for Thanksgiving Day by offering huge meal savings.

Hy-Vee stores across the Sioux Empire will offer big meal deals and budget-friendly Thanksgiving dinners to help make the holidays as easy as possible for families in South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota.

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Hy-Vee released different meal options that include:

These meals are great for a family of two or a big buffet for 20 family members.

But wait...there's even more! Throughout November, all Hy-Vee locations will be offering its special "Buy a ham, get a turkey free" promotion. More details about the Thanksgiving deals with Hy-Vee can be found here.

Families in the Sioux Empire can place their orders with their local Hy-Vee store or online at Hy-Vee’s website. Those who purchase a prepared meal will be able to schedule a time to pick up their purchase before Thanksgiving

Keep in mind: All Hy-Vee stores will be closed on Thanksgiving Day. However, South Dakota, Iowa, and Minnesota Hy-Vee customers can pick up curbside orders the morning of Thanksgiving from 8 AM to 11 AM.

10 Small-Town South Dakota Restaurants That Are Worth The Drive

The Sioux Empire is full of restaurants that are long-known to be local favorites.

Sure, they might be a short drive from home, but you won't regret the experience at these hometown mainstays.

Here are 10 of the best small-town restaurants in South Dakota.

READ MORE: Here’s Why Sioux Falls is the ‘Sioux Empire’ and Sioux City is ‘Siouxland’

Field of 68 Showcase at Sanford Pentagon set to open college hoops season with a bang

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - When we turn back the clocks it’s time to turn up the heat in gyms across the country because basketball season is right around the corner.And it will start in a big way for NCAA Division One tomorrow at the Sanford Pentagon.The venue will host the “Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase” featuring three mid-major games capped off by South Dakota State taking the floor in the evening.It’s the brainchild of longtime college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman who runs t...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - When we turn back the clocks it’s time to turn up the heat in gyms across the country because basketball season is right around the corner.

And it will start in a big way for NCAA Division One tomorrow at the Sanford Pentagon.

The venue will host the “Field of 68 Opening Day Showcase” featuring three mid-major games capped off by South Dakota State taking the floor in the evening.

It’s the brainchild of longtime college basketball reporter Jeff Goodman who runs the Field of 68 media network and wanted to kick the college hoops season off in a special way.

Among the games tomorrow is former SDSU head coach Scott Nagy making his debut as Southern Illinois new head coach against the College of Charleston.

Which begs an obvious question.

Did Goodman try to get Nagy to square off against the South Dakota State program he coached for 21 seasons from 1995-2016?!

“Of course I tried! I was unsuccessful! And with Scott he‘s too nice a human being to try to convince him. It was like once he said no the first time, that was it! You’re not going to. That dude is the nicest guy in this business.” Goodman said of his efforts to get Nagy to play SDSU in the opener.

Nagy will make his debut with the Salukis against the College of Charleston at 11:00 AM. After that the University of Saint Louis will face Santa Clara at 2:00 PM. The event will wrap up at 5:00 PM with SDSU taking on McNeese State, each coming off seasons in which they qualified for the NCAA Tournament.

“We‘ve wanted to do something like this for a while because, frankly, college basketball starts off without a bang. I mean there‘s no good games, there all ’buy' games. I‘ve complained about it for years and we felt like we could help and get some mid-major games together and that‘s what we’ve been fortunate to do.” Goodman says.

If you can’t make it out to the Pentagon all the games will be streamed on the Field of 68’s YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) platforms.

Copyright 2024 Dakota News Now. All rights reserved.

Zimmer: With rivalry clashes behind them, South Dakota State begins stretch run by routing Murray State

By Matt Zimmer Share News ReportingBROOKINGS — After consecutive weeks of hard-fought, down-to-the-wire, heart-pumping, nationally-televised thrillers against rivals North Dakota State and South Dakota, the third-ranked Jackrabbits had something of a reprieve on Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium wh...

By Matt Zimmer

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BROOKINGS — After consecutive weeks of hard-fought, down-to-the-wire, heart-pumping, nationally-televised thrillers against rivals North Dakota State and South Dakota, the third-ranked Jackrabbits had something of a reprieve on Saturday at Dana J. Dykhouse Stadium when they faced Murray State.

The Racers came in winless in Missouri Valley Conference play this year and with a 5-25 record over the last three seasons. The Jacks were 42.5-point favorites.

So nothing about SDSU's 52-6 victory in front of 16,376 fans (the Jacks' first non-sellout of the season) was surprising or especially outstanding. They did what they were supposed to do against an inferior team.

A defense that has been dominant continued to be so. An offense that had scored just 23 points in regulation in their last two games got on track and racked up nearly 600 total yards. They did not turn the ball over and had just 35 yards in penalties.

College

South Dakota State races past Murray State

Jackrabbits improve to 7-2 with win over Valley's last-place squad

1d ago

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By Matt Zimmer

So while this win was expected to come easily and did, there's still value in it, and not just in that coaches were able to empty the bench and give meaningful reps to players who hadn't seen many.

With the Jackrabbits' most challenging games behind them, this win should set the tone for the rest of the regular season.

SDSU (7-2, 4-1 MVFC) finishes up at North Dakota, at home against Southern Illinois and at Missouri State. None of these games should be easy, especially the finale against a 7-2 Bears squad. But the Jacks will be favored in all three of them, and none will have the hype or rivalry attachments that the last two games did.

If the Jacks can replicate the formula from Saturday's comfortable victory over the season's final month, they're probably going to end up right where they want to.

"It started on Monday in practice," said center Gus Miller. "You can never (disrespect) an opponent because the game will disrespect you. Our coaches are always talking to us, making sure in these kind of games we focus on ourselves, focus on basic techniques and make sure we're not overlooking anything."

In that regard, the Jacks certainly took care of business.

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Jacks’ big stable of backs shows off in home rout of Racers

For the first time all season, the South Dakota State backfield was available in full force on Saturday afternoon. And lowly Murray State was on the wrong end of it.

1d ago

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By Marcus Traxler

They accumulated 595 yards of total offense — 343 of them on the ground. Angel Johnson, Amar Johnson, Chase Mason, Maxwell Woods and Kirby Vorhees all had rushing touchdowns. Mason and Mark Gronowski each threw touchdown passes. The defense kept Murray State out of the end zone and limited them to a mere 236 total yards.

There wasn't much evidence of the Jackrabbits taking it easy or coming out flat, but coach Jimmy Rogers said even though his team largely executed well, they didn't have the same pregame fire and excitement to play that he's used to.

"I'll watch the film when it comes to the execution, because it felt like there was a lack of energy, just in the entire stadium," Rogers said. "Just looking at (the players), I see them so much in practice that I kind of know what to expect when I watch them and their energy level. I was happy with how we played but there's plenty to clean up. We need to be crisper and better next Saturday."

That will be against a UND squad that looked strong early in the season but has lost consecutive games, against Youngstown State and, on Saturday, lowly Indiana State. Those two were both on the road, however, and the Hawks are a different team in the Alerus Center, where they'll host SDSU next week. UND beat No. 8 Montana at home earlier this year.

It'll be SDSU's third game against one of their Dakota rivals in the last four weeks, but getting Saturday's low-stress tussle with the Racers in between should help them.

"It was a physical couple of weeks and very close games," safety Tucker Large said of the games against NDSU (a 13-9 loss) and USD (a 20-17 overtime win). "So this is definitely a confidence booster for our team. It was good for our offense to get those yards and good to see our defense get some young guys in there and flying around, having fun and being themselves.

"Coach Rogers does a great job of making it the Jacks vs. the Jacks, every game, no matter who our opponent is," Large added. "We want to be our best selves. We know our standard and if we execute that good things will happen."

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Matt Zimmer is a Sioux Falls native and longtime sports writer. He graduated from Washington High School where he played football, legion baseball and developed his lifelong love of the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. After graduating from St. Cloud State University, he returned to Sioux Falls, and began a long career in amateur baseball and sports reporting. Email Matt at mzimmer@siouxfallslive.com.

South Dakota State holds off McNeese in Sioux Falls, 80-73

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – McNeese basketball head coach Will Wade warned the first few games of the season would be a period to get the new group of players acclimated to each other.That proved to be true on Monday at The Field of 68 Season Opener Showcase where South Dakota State held off the talented Cowboys, 80-73, to open up the 2024-25 season.Alyn Breed made his McNeese debut by scoring a game-high 18 points while Javohn Garcia added 15 and Christian Shumate 11.McNeese made just 39 percent of its shots from the fiel...

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – McNeese basketball head coach Will Wade warned the first few games of the season would be a period to get the new group of players acclimated to each other.

That proved to be true on Monday at The Field of 68 Season Opener Showcase where South Dakota State held off the talented Cowboys, 80-73, to open up the 2024-25 season.

Alyn Breed made his McNeese debut by scoring a game-high 18 points while Javohn Garcia added 15 and Christian Shumate 11.

McNeese made just 39 percent of its shots from the field, hitting 23 of 59, and sank 7 of 26 from long range for 27 percent. The Cowboys were outrebounded by a 43-29 margin including 12-8 on the offensive glass.

The Jackrabbits, the defending Summit League champions, were led by an 18-point performance from Joe Saylor while Oscar Cluff and Owen Larson each scored 14. Stoney Hadnot added 12 to round out the double-figure scorers.

Larson and Sayler combined to hit 8 of 16 from 3-point range while Larson’s trey with 42 seconds to play proved to be the dagger as the Cowboys were attempting to rally for the late game win.

Overall, SDSU made 46 percent from the field (28-61) and 12 of 35 from long range for 34 percent. In the second half, the Jackrabbits made 57 percent of their shots (16-28).

The game was tied 33-33 at the half when McNeese got back-to-back three-point baskets from DJ Richards, who finished with nine points on the night.

The Cowboys scored the first six points of the second half behind 3s from Breed and Garcia but SDSU rallied back to tie the game at 41-41 with 17:10 to play following a Larson fast-break layup.

A couple of free throws and a Joe Charles dunk put McNeese back on top 45-41 and the lead was 48-46 at the 15:01 mark after a couple of Richards freebies.

The Jackrabbits answered with an 8-0 run, started by a 3 from Jackson, and led 54-58 with 13:18 to play. The lead grew to 59-59 three minutes later and was 66-57 with 7:36 remaining when the Cowboys began to claw back.

Charles and Garcia sank consecutive 3s to pull McNeese to within 66-63, then a few minutes later and trailing 75-72, the Cowboys saw four straight jumpers fall off the mark in an attempt to pull to within 1 or tie the game.

But on the fourth miss and after an offensive rebound by Brandon Murray, Shumate was sent to the line where he made 1 of 2 and cut the gap to 75-73 with 1:29 to play.

Charles pulled in the offensive rebound on Shumate’s miss and fired up a three-pointer that was off the mark. Shumate grabbed the rebound and had an open look for a three that missed with 1:06 to play.

SDSU got the rebound and Larson sank a three with 42 seconds to play that gave the Jackrabbits a 78-73 advantage, then added another basket after a McNeese miss with 17 seconds to play.

Next up, McNeese will open its home slate on Thursday night at 7:30 against Biblical Studies in the second game of a double-header with the Cowgirls.

Researchers test for ‘forever chemicals’ in Big Sioux River

The murky brown Big Sioux River consistently receives poor marks for its water quality, but eastern South Dakota water systems near the river don’t know if that pollution includes “forever chemicals.”To find out, researchers from South Dakota Mines are testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the behest of the East Dakota Water Development District.The study will cost the district a...

The murky brown Big Sioux River consistently receives poor marks for its water quality, but eastern South Dakota water systems near the river don’t know if that pollution includes “forever chemicals.”

To find out, researchers from South Dakota Mines are testing for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) at the behest of the East Dakota Water Development District.

The study will cost the district at least $100,000 to test 11 sites from northeast South Dakota to the Iowa border past Sioux Falls, including four more sample runs throughout 2025.

“Ideally, we’ll find nothing, and we’ll have spent a lot of money to do that,” said Jay Gilbertson, district manager. “But right now, we don’t know if there is PFAS in the river. It’s hard to be proactive and plan if you don’t have information.”

A separate, federally funded project through the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources was announced earlier this year to assess and clean up contaminated sites in South Dakota. Falls Park, quarry lake and a former rubble site just south of the Sioux Empire Fairgrounds in Sioux Falls are being tested for PFAS and other contaminants that pose risks to the Big Sioux River. The project is in the planning phase, and testing has not started yet.

The chemicals have been used in industry and consumer products since the 1940s and don’t break down easily in the environment or in the human body. Research indicates PFAS exposure may be linked to negative developmental and reproductive effects, and an increased risk of some cancers.

The federal government established new limits on some types of PFAS in drinking water earlier this year. Those limits apply specifically to treated drinking water. The limits do not apply to chemicals found in waterways.

Water treatment plants along the Big Sioux River can pull directly from the river or pull from underground wells near the river. Sioux Falls is the only water system that pulls water from the Big Sioux River, but the city rarely uses the river as a water source.

More states ban PFAS, or ‘forever chemicals,’ in more products

An ongoing study indicates that, under the right conditions, Big Sioux River water can infiltrate wells near the river.

Gilbertson saw water treatment plants in southeastern South Dakota along the Big Sioux River several years ago experience an influx of hard water in their systems. He said the culprit was Lake Poinsett, near Watertown, which began discharging water into the Big Sioux that seeped into underground wells used by some treatment plants downstream.

That’s why it’s “better to go looking for it,” Gilbertson said, so water treatment plants can prepare solutions before contamination becomes a crisis.

If PFAS is found in the Big Sioux River, the water district can inform public water suppliers, Gilbertson added.

“Maybe we tell them, if they can, not to use the well that’s so close to the river; reactivate one a little farther away,” Gilbertson said. “As a result, they might not technically have a problem and have to stop serving customers because they stopped using the water before it became a problem.”

PFAS has been detected in wells near Ellsworth Air Force Base at Box Elder, as well as Sioux Falls Regional Airport and its co-located Air National Guard base, where the chemicals were used in firefighting foam. The forever chemical has also been detected in wells at National Guard facilities near Custer and in Rapid City, and in three private wells in South Dakota.

Sioux Falls suspended 21 of its wells suspected of PFAS contamination after the detection. Since then, all raw water samples — which can include the Big Sioux River at times — have been tested for PFAS compounds, said Sioux Falls Water Superintendent Chris Myers in an emailed statement. The city has not detected PFAS in those sources.

But even if Sioux Falls doesn’t find PFAS in river tests, that doesn’t mean there isn’t PFAS in the river: It just means it’s not immediately upstream, Gilbertson said.

“It doesn’t necessarily preclude it from the upper basin or below the city,” he added.

Most recently, a preliminary sample of Mount Rushmore National Memorial’s drinking water had levels of PFAS more than two times higher than the new federal limit.

The South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems is testing 40 rural water systems throughout the state for PFAS chemicals in cooperation with the EPA. Cities are also testing their water and submitting it to the EPA.

Lisa Kunza, associate professor in chemistry, biology and health sciences and director of the Center for Sustainable Solutions at South Dakota Mines in Rapid City, helped collect the initial Big Sioux River samples in September.

Kunza and her team research PFAS contamination impacts on water resources, agriculture and human health. They’re looking for 40 PFAS compounds in the water. She said the initial test results could take a month to several months to get back from the lab.

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