Hearing for Rep. Johnson’s WDRWS Bill a Win for Western South Dakotans

(April 16, 2026) It is a big day in Washington D.C. for drought-prone West River communities. U.S. House of Representatives subcommittee members heard testimony in support of South Dakota Congressman Dusty Johnson’s bill to greenlight a feasibility study of the Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS).

H.R. 7288 also includes a $10 million appropriation for the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct a feasibility study of the proposed rural water supply project to supply municipal, rural, and industrial water from the Missouri River to western South Dakota. A feasibility study conducted by the Bureau of Reclamation is required before federal approval can be granted for construction to begin.

WDRWS Executive Director Kristin Conzet was honored to provide testimony at today’s Water, Wildlife and Fisheries Subcommittee hearing. Rep. Johnson also attended in support of his bill. “It’s hard to overstate the importance of water. If we want a vibrant and healthy West River, we have to have this project, and I’m proud to support this important step forward,” says Rep. Johnson.

“Western South Dakota is one of the only major regions in the state without a reliable, long-term water supply to meet community, rural, agricultural, economic, Tribal and national defense needs. Existing groundwater sources—the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers—are finite, precipitation-dependent, and under increasing stress,” says Conzet.

A 2025 U.S. Geological Survey study found that withdrawals from the Madison and Minnelusa aquifers have increased roughly 33% since the 1990s. The completion of a feasibility study will ensure that a future investment in WDRWS is justified and confirm the need for additional water supply for western South Dakota.

“We are so grateful to Rep. Johnson, his team, the Bureau of Reclamation, and the subcommittee members for their professionalism and assistance throughout the federal process,” says Conzet.

Since its founding in 2021, WDRWS has completed preliminary feasibility work to position the project for federal review. The engineering team has evaluated potential Missouri River and Lake Oahe intake locations, assessed interconnections with existing regional water infrastructure, and developed preliminary pipeline routing concepts.

More than half of South Dakota is currently experiencing drought conditions, well before the hot and dry summer months. The South Dakota Drought Monitor (South Dakota | Drought.gov) shows the southwestern corner of the state is the worst off, with moderate through extreme drought conditions currently. “Our existing drought conditions, coupled with the region’s continued growth and finite groundwater sources, underscore the need for a long-term solution to West River’s impending water crisis,” says Conzet.

ABOUT WDRWS

Western Dakota Regional Water System (WDRWS) is a nonprofit corporation formed to address the need for water in western South Dakota. The WDRWS is an alliance of forward-thinking community, governmental, and water system leaders who believe that the future of western South Dakota will be fueled by access to abundant and quality water. Large and small public water systems, associate members, and individuals make up the membership of the WDRWS. Learn more by visiting WDRWS.org.