Federal funds boost SD water projects

By Scout Nelson

The struggle for quality drinking water in rural South Dakota is being addressed through significant federal support. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has awarded nearly $13 million in WaterSMART Drought Resiliency grants to two communities, promising enhanced water accessibility and quality.

The Mni Wašté Water Company, operated by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, is set to receive $2.8 million. This funding will be used to extend a water pipeline 10 miles northwest of Eagle Butte.

Leo Fischer, executive director of the company and an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, shared insights into the project's long history and its impact. "It's more of a pain than it is anything, because you haul it in the back of a vehicle," Fischer pointed out. He further explained the difficulties faced during winter when "everything freezes up."

This project is crucial as local groundwater wells are deep, of poor quality, and unreliable. Once completed, the pipeline will supply water to 17 existing residences and 20 homes currently under construction.

In Day County, the WEB Water Development Association will benefit from a $10 million grant to construct approximately 40 miles of pipeline. This initiative will provide over 700 residents in the city of Waubay and surrounding rural areas with better drinking water.

Shane Phillips, general manager of the association, commented on the project's significance in an area ironically known for its abundance of water. "It's the true quality of the water that's not great in Day County," Phillips observed. He noted the high mineral content and total dissolved solids in the local water.

Plans are underway for the WEB Water Development Association to start work on the new pipeline and water treatment facilities in 2025, aiming to source and treat water from the Missouri River for potable use.

These efforts are part of a broader initiative by the Bureau of Reclamation, which has awarded WaterSMART grants across 11 states this year, targeting improvements in water sustainability and quality.

Photo Credit -environmental-protection-agency