$175M marked for South Dakota water, sewer, conservation projects

Last of ARPA funds headed to communities across state

(City of Sioux Falls)

Dozens of communities across South Dakota are getting a share of nearly $175 million worth of help from the state and federal government to advance some big ticket public infrastructure projects.

All four corners of the state and towns, water districts and cities everywhere in between have been awarded grants and loans through the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR), which on Thursday announced tens of millions in funding to help with sewer, water and conservation projects.

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Of the $175 million in awards announced by the agency Thursday, more than $105 million is coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) and has been marked for drinking water and wastewater system improvements. That’s the last of the state’s ARPA funding.

DANR also announced another $64.7 million in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste projects, and $5 million for its reiperian buffer strip program, which incentivizes landowners to maintain vegetation along the edges of rivers, streams, lakes, and other waterbodies.

Here’s a rundown of how all $175 million in DANR awards are being divvied up.

ARPA Public Works projects

Aurora-Brule Rural Water received an additional $846,775 ARPA grant to install a new parallel water main, a new water storage reservoir, multiple loops within the system, a booster station, and make distribution line improvements. Previous funding for this project was awarded in April 2022
 
BDM Rural Water System received an additional $1,738,345 ARPA grant to construct a new water treatment plant, install a water reservoir, install pipe to expand the water system and loop lines for added redundancy, and replace water meters. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Black Hawk Water User District received an additional $254,340 ARPA grant to install a new water main crossing I-90 near Exit 52. The existing crossing is undersized and not operating effectively. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022.
 
Brookings received an additional $8,000,000 ARPA grant to construct a new lime softening water treatment facility along 34th Avenue. The new treatment plant will require the installation of raw and finished water lines to feed into the distribution system and includes the construction of six new municipal wells and a new transmission main. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Brookings-Deuel Rural Water Systemreceived an additional $1,357,708 ARPA grant to construct water main to interconnect the system's two primary water sources, the Joint Well Field, and the Clear Lake Water Treatment Plant. The project will also include installation of a new water main to the Lake Cochrane service area to improve low pressures around the lake during periods of peak water use. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.

Clay Rural Water System received an additional $2,488,710 ARPA grant to construct two ground storage reservoirs near the existing Greenfield reservoir and the Wakonda Water Treatment plant. A new booster station at the Greenfield reservoir and distribution line improvements to provide additional capacity and accommodate a Highway 46 construction project is also included. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Davison Rural Water System received an additional $189,255 ARPA grant to install a water line to parallel and loop existing mains and make upgrades to its automatic meter reading technology. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Fall River Water User District received an additional $1,400,007.62 ARPA grant to install a submersible pump and finish piping at the existing Fairburn well, construct a pump station and well house, a control building/pump station, a ground storage reservoir at the well site, pipeline to connect the Fairburn well to the existing distribution system in two locations, and a ground storage reservoir along the new pipeline route. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022.
 
Grant-Roberts Rural Water Systemreceived an additional $1,023,690 ARPA grant to add transmission capacity allowing the system's two reservoirs to fill during high water use periods. Additional pipeline looping and parallels will be completed to distribute water to existing and new customers and improve the reliability of the water system. The project also includes installation new pipeline and other appurtenances to allow the town of Corona to access the Grant-Roberts Rural Water System. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Hanson Rural Water System received an additional $548,388 ARPA grant to install water lines to parallel and loop of existing mains and make upgrades to its automatic meter reading technology. Previous funding was awarded April 2022.
 
Joint Well Field, Inc. received an additional $1,440,459 ARPA grant to construct a new gravity filtration water treatment plant including aeration, detention, filtration, transfer pumping, raw water supply wells, and generation equipment. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Kingbrook Rural Water Systemreceived an additional $4,972,298 ARPA to upgrade the Badger pump station, DeSmet water treatment plant, Chester water treatment plan, Oakwood pump station, and the Orland pump station. The project also involves construction of an elevated tank near Arlington and booster pump station near Bryant, and relocation and resizing of pipeline segments along Highway 25 north of DeSmet. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Lead-Deadwood Sanitary Districtreceived an additional $339,623 ARPA grant to abandon the Hanna raw water transmission pipeline and install new ductile iron or steel pipe. Both low- and high-pressure lines will be re-routed to bypass the Englewood power generation facility, and a portable backup power generator will be purchased for use at multiple locations. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022.
 
Lead-Deadwood Sanitary District also received an additional $136,662 ARPA grant to make improvements to the wastewater treatment plant serving Lead, Deadwood, Central City, and other unincorporated areas. Improvements include replacement of five aeration blowers, installation of fine bubble diffusers and aeration piping, and installation of a blower control system. Previous funding was awarded In June 2022.
 
Lewis & Clark Regional Water Systemreceived an additional $5,000,000 ARPA grant to construct two solids contact units, a sludge thickener, three lime sludge drying beds, and a three million gallon clear well and high service pump station to increase the treatment plant capacity. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.

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Lincoln County Rural Water Systemreceived an additional $571,211 ARPA grant to install transmission improvements to serve newly constructed residences. The project will install approximately 16.5 miles of pipeline and includes looping of dead-end lines. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Mid-Dakota Rural Water Systemreceived an additional $6,830,882 ARPA grant to update the existing water system by installing an advanced metering infrastructure system, paralleling of pipe, addition of a new backwash recovery system, and additional membrane capacity. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Mni Wašté Water Company received an additional $6,545,503 ARPA grant to install a treated water pipeline, a water tower, and appurtenances including valves, pumps, and air releases. This project replaces the undersized pipeline along Highway 63 and will serve as the main pipeline for the northern tier of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Randall Community Water Districtreceived an additional $10,000,000 ARPA grant to address increasing demand among existing customers and supply water to the City of Mitchell. The proposed improvements will provide enough capacity to allow Mitchell to connect its redundant water line to the system. Booster stations, storage facilities, and an upgrade to the Platte Water Treatment Plant are necessary to complete the proposed improvements. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022.
 
Rapid City received an additional $8,000,000 to make improvements to its wastewater treatment facility by adding secondary clarifiers and hydraulic improvements which allows the South Plant to assume all inflow while meeting permit limits. This project would also decommission the North Plant. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Shared Resources received an additional $10,000,000 ARPA grant for a treatment plant, well field, distribution pipeline, and two storage tanks. Shared Resources is a joint effort between Minnehaha Community Water Corporation and the Big Sioux Community Water System. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Sioux Falls received an additional $8,000,000 ARPA grant to make substantial improvements throughout the city’s wastewater reclamation facility and to expand the plant capacity to accommodate growth in the region. Previous funding was awarded in May 2022.
 
Sioux Rural Water System received an additional $765,583 ARPA to construct a new elevated tank in the southwest part of the system and two segments of pipeline to increase pressure and capacity. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.

South Lincoln Rural Water Systemreceived an additional $2,444,355 ARPA grant to make system wide improvements including installing an elevated water tank, a new pump station, and a new water treatment plant. This project addresses capacity issues in portions of the distribution system and increasing demands within the existing service area. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Southern Black Hills Water Systemreceived an additional $542,432 ARPA grant to extend the existing water system main from the two wells at Paramount Point Subdivision approximately 5 miles northeast to the Spring Creek Acres Subdivision to provide redundancy. The project will also construct a new well, booster pump station, new elevated storage reservoir, chlorination and SCADA systems, and new pressure reducing valve stations. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
TM Rural Water District received an additional $1,272,908 ARPA grant to install four miles of parallel 12-inch water main to address low water pressure situations during high water demand periods. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
Tripp County Water User Districtreceived an additional $2,034,121 ARPA grant to replace two storage tanks, to parallel and loop water lines to increase the water pressure within the system, and to develop a new well field to address water supply issues. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
WEB Water Development Associationreceived an additional $10,500,000 ARPA grant. The funding is part of a much larger project to increase water capacity for WEB and to provide a bulk water connection for Aberdeen and BDM Rural Water. The project is known as the Water Investment in Northern South Dakota or WINS project, undertaken by all three entities with WEB acting as the lead contracting entity at this time. Previous funding was awarded in June 2023.
 
Western Dakota Regional Water System received an additional $2,165,000 ARPA grant for a feasibility study to explore the use of its Missouri River water to supply a large portion of western South Dakota with a bulk water transmission line conveying Missouri River water to various communities, tribes, and water systems. The current funding will be used to hire an engineering firm to complete facilities plan and preliminary design for the project. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.
 
West River/Lyman-Jones Rural Water System received an additional $602,702 ARPA grant to install PVC water mains serving areas in Mellette, Haakon, and Lyman counties. A new ground storage tank and necessary electrical controls would also be installed in Pennington County. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022.

Environmental projects  

Britton received a $733,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for a wastewater lift station and sewer improvements. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Central City received a $182,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program loan to further study inlet placement to convey stormwater safely and address stormwater management issues. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 20 years.
 
Chamberlain received a $500,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to improve its drinking water system, replace the recarbonation system, and install water main to loop the system. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Deadwood received a $2,897,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to upgrade and improve system reliability. This project will install a new line to create a backup supply to the reservoir and create a potentially new pressure zone to the northeast. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Grant-Roberts Rural Water Systemreceived a $2,549,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $619,000 in principal forgiveness for internal improvements to improve capacity into the Hilltop Reservoir, provide water service to individual residents of Marvin, and to create an emergency connection between Grant-Roberts and the City of Milbank. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Ipswich received a $390,100 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $100,000 in principal forgiveness to construct a storm sewer system to help alleviate stormwater conveyance issues throughout the city. Previous funding was awarded in June 2022. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Joint Well Field received a $4,059,541 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for the construction of a new gravity filtration water treatment plant to meet the demands of Kingbrook Rural Water System and Brookings-Deuel Rural Water System. The new treatment plant will increase the treatment capacity. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Madison received a $2,645,916 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace outdated and inadequate water infrastructure, bring the distribution system up to current design standards, and service requirements of the community. The loan terms are 3.50 percent for 30 years.
 
Madison also received a $2,692,547 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace outdated and inadequate sanitary infrastructure, bring the collection system up to current design standards, and service requirements of the community. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Meadow Crest Sanitary District received a $650,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $168,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to construct new well to provide system redundancy and meet the additional capacity for current and future users. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Mid-Dakota Rural Water Systemreceived a $14,730,000 Drinking Water State Revolving fund loan with 100% principal forgiveness to provide bulk water service to the city of Wessington Springs. The city of Wessington Springs’ current water source has manganese and E. coli levels above recommended human health limits. It has been determined that the most cost effective and best long-term solution for the city’s water needs is a bulk connection to Mid-Dakota Rural Water System.
 
Miller received a $1,100,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $720,000 in principal forgiveness to make improvements to its water storage tank, waterlines, and abandoned wells. Funding for this project was previously awarded in April 2022. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.
 
Northville received a $125,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to upgrade its storage tank, which will increase capacity to serve the community’s needs. Previous funds were awarded in May 2022. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Powder House Pass Community Improvement District received a $2,075,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for upgrades at its wastewater treatment facility and improvements to its lift station to handle increased flows. Previous funding was awarded in April 2022. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Sioux Falls received a $11,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to continue constructing a sanitary sewer expansion near 12^th Street and Ellis Road. The terms of the loan are 3.5 percent for 20 years.
 
South East Council of Governmentsreceived a $500,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant for its regional revolving loan fund program. This funding allows the Council to provide low-interest loans for solid waste management and recycling projects in the region.
 
Southern Missouri Recycling and Waste Management District received a $100,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant and a $400,000 Solid Waste Management Program loan to purchase a new baler. The terms of the loan are 3.5 percent for 20 years.
 
Wessington Springs received a $1,660,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to abandon the existing water treatment facilities and make necessary upgrades in the city’s distribution system to allow the connection to Mid-Dakota Rural Water System for bulk water supply. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.
 
West River/Lyman Jones Rural Water System received a $14,500,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to add capacity and provide reliability and resiliency to the distribution system for existing customers by adding nearly 26 miles of water main, two water storage tanks, and a new booster station facility. Loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.
 
Weston Heights Sanitary Districtreceived a $1,111,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for sanitary sewer main improvements including replacement of sanitary sewer main and new manholes. The current system is experiencing low slope pipe, pipe sags and rock bulges caused by inadequate pipe bedding, root intrusion, and cracking in some locations. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.