FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 5, 2026

MEDIA CONTACT: Brian Walsh, Brian.Walsh@state.sd.us

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DANR Announces Final $6.1 Million in ARPA Funding and Highlights Historic $703 Million Investment in South Dakota’s Water Resources

PIERRE, S.D. - Today, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced that the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $6,079,593.14 in additional American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funding for water quality and drinking water projects in South Dakota.

The funding consists of $6,079,593.14 in ARPA grant funds to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

"These historic investments in South Dakota's water resources help keep our state strong, safe, and free," said Governor Larry Rhoden. "From improving drinking water systems and wastewater infrastructure to protecting our lakes and streams, these projects will benefit South Dakota for decades to come."

Funds were awarded to the following projects:

Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources received an additional $3,500,000 in ARPA grant funds for the Riparian Buffer Initiative (RBI). The program provides payments to landowners who implement best management practices to improve water quality and reduce nonpoint source pollution. To date, RBI has funded 153 signed riparian buffer contracts protecting more than 320 miles of streambanks and lake shoreline across South Dakota. Previous funding was approved in April 2022, June 2024, and January 2026. The additional grant award brings the total ARPA funding for RBI to $10,500,000.

Randall Community Water District received an additional $1,289,800 in ARPA grant funds to support system expansion needed to meet increasing customer demand and provide additional water supply to the City of Mitchell. The project includes approximately 38 miles of transmission pipeline, booster stations, storage facilities, and upgrades to the Platte Water Treatment Plant. Previous ARPA funding was approved in June 2022, June 2024, May 2025, March 2026, and September 2026. The additional grant award brings the ARPA grant total for this project to $25,262,515.60.

Shared Resources received an additional $1,289,793.14 in ARPA grant funds for its regional water supply project, which includes an 8 million gallon per day water 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 ARPA funding was approved in April 2022, June 2024, May 2025, January 2026, June 2026, and September 2026. The additional grant award brings the ARPA grant total for this project to an amount not to exceed $53,444,031.98.

Historic Investment in South Dakota’s Water Resources

Today's action marks the final obligation of American Rescue Plan Act funding by the Board of Water and Natural Resources.

Through Senate Bill 62 (2022), Senate Bill 53 (2024), and subsequent reallocations, the Board of Water and Natural Resources has awarded a total of $703,123,459.19 in ARPA funding for water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source projects across South Dakota.

A total of 199 projects received ARPA assistance statewide. Of that amount:

• $395,373,324.37 for drinking water projects;
• $292,038,134.82 for wastewater and stormwater projects; and
• $15,712,000 for nonpoint source water quality improvement projects.

These investments helped leverage approximately $1.7 billion in total statewide infrastructure improvements, including drinking water systems, wastewater treatment facilities, and water quality protection efforts.

With today's action, all $703,123,456.19 in ARPA funding authority provided to the Board of Water and Natural Resources has been fully obligated to eligible projects.

Additional Details

The American Rescue Plan Act provided grants for eligible drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and nonpoint source water quality projects. South Dakota made a historic investment in protecting and preserving its water resources by dedicating more than $700 million in ARPA funding to water infrastructure and water quality improvement projects across the state.

The board approved the funding at today's meeting in Pierre.

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