Amidst the increasing threat of wildfires due to climate change, Reno Red Cloud, Director of Water Resources for the Oglala Sioux Tribe, is working to utilize old wells on the Pine Ridge Reservation in South Dakota. These wells, although containing elevated levels of arsenic, have the potential to provide over a million gallons of water daily for firefighting efforts.
While arsenic levels in the wells may raise concerns, experts like Jaymie Meliker suggest that the arsenic concentration in the water is minimal and safe for firefighting. The wells, originally installed in the 1970s and abandoned due to changing regulations, could now prove to be valuable resources in combating drought conditions and wildfires.
Despite initial hesitations from some community members regarding arsenic exposure, utilizing these wells could not only address the water needs of the reservation but also serve as a model for other tribal lands facing similar challenges. Red Cloud envisions a future where old wells play a crucial role in drought mitigation and wildfire prevention across the nation’s reservations.
