Federal Legislation Would Create Efficiencies to Benefit South Dakota Rural Water Projects

(June 5, 2024) Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) supports federal legislation introduced by U.S. Senators Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) on Tuesday, June 4. The bill to reauthorize the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006 would provide authorization to the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) to undertake the design and construction of rural water supply projects to deliver drinking water to rural communities in western states.

“We applaud Sen. Rounds for bringing this important legislation to reenact the Reclamation Rural Water Supply Act of 2006. This measure will streamline the planning efforts to make Western Dakota Regional Water a reality,” says Cheryl Chapman, WDRWS Executive Director. Chapman notes the legislation will also benefit similar East River efforts.

Currently, large scale water projects require two levels of congressional authorization – first for feasibility studies and a second for construction. The Rural Water Supply Program would allow Reclamation to develop and recommend rural water supply projects. Without it, Congress must authorize feasibility studies on a case-by-case basis. The legislation proposed by Sens. Rounds and Klobuchar would reauthorize the program for eight more years.

WDRWS is leading preliminary work regarding feasibility for regional water service across western South Dakota. Evaluations include water demands throughout the region, Missouri River intake locations, and pipeline routing from the Missouri River. The WDRWS was formed in late 2021 and the feasibility efforts began in early 2022. The initial study is projected to be completed by the end of 2026.