Whereas the pollution of the waters of this state constitutes a menace to public health and welfare, creates public nuisances, is harmful to wildlife, fish, and aquatic life, and impairs domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, and other legitimate beneficial uses of water, and whereas the problem of water pollution in this state is closely related to the problem of water pollution in adjoining states, it is hereby declared to be the public policy of this state to conserve the waters of the state and to protect, maintain, and improve the quality thereof for water supplies, for the propagation of wildlife, fish, and aquatic life, and for domestic, agricultural, industrial, recreational, and other legitimate uses; to provide that no waste be discharged into any waters of the state without first receiving the necessary treatment or other corrective action to protect the legitimate and beneficial uses of such waters; to provide for the prevention, abatement, and control of new and existing water pollution; and to cooperate with other agencies of the state, agencies of other states, and the federal government in carrying out these objectives.

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Source: SL 1973, ch 280, § 1; SDCL Supp, § 46-25-23.