FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, June 29, 2023

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Brian Walsh, brian.walsh@state.sd.us

FOR PROJECT DETAILS: Visit here

DANR Announces Nearly $60 Million for Statewide Environmental Projects

PIERRE, S.D. – Today, the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $59,884,841 in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, storm water, and solid waste projects in South Dakota.

The $59,884,841 total includes $14,908,940 in grants and $45,975,901 in low-interest loans including $8,964,400 in principal forgiveness to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.  

“I am pleased to announce this financial assistance is available,” said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts. “Safe and reliable water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure helps protect our environment and strengthen communities for our kids and grandkids.”

Funds were awarded from DANR’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, American Rescue Plan Act, and the Solid Waste Management Program to the following:

Belle Fourche received a $287,192 Solid Waste Management Program loan for a pre-shredding machine and baler to reduce waste at their landfill. This will improve operations and extend the useful life of the landfill. Previous funding was awarded for this project in January 2023. The terms of the loan are 3 percent for 20 years.

Bear Butte Valley Water received a $1,500,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $300,000 in principal forgiveness for several improvement projects including 20 miles of water mainline, construction of a new deep well as a second water source, and installation of a new ground storage reservoir, booster station, and site piping and appurtenances to address system deficiencies. Funding was previously awarded for this project in April 2022. The terms of the loan are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Big Sioux Community Water System received a $2,200,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to increase capacity and improve customer pressure in the Lake Madison area by installing three segments of new water main. The terms of the loan are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Brown County received a $92,500 Solid Waste Management Program grant to purchase a new loader for its landfill facility. These funds and local funds will cover the project cost.

Chancellor received a $1,450,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,233,000 in principal forgiveness for replacement of existing sanitary sewer and to extend the storm sewer trunk line to improve the inflow and infiltration issues within the community. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Chancellor also received a $906,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $770,100 in principal forgiveness for distribution improvements including new PVC pipe water main, water services replacement within the right of way, curb stops, fire hydrants, and valves. The loan terms are 3 percent for 30 years.

Centerville received a $1,412,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for construction of a water tower to replace existing storage standpipe, which has exceeded its useful life for a steel water storage tank. The loan terms are 2.75 percent for 30 years.

Cresbard received a $1,912,410 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,625,000 in principal forgiveness to replace water mains, valves, and hydrants to address system wide water loss. This funding is in addition to previous funding awarded in March 2021. The loan terms are 2.75 percent for 30 years.

Hartford received a $490,800 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct a new water main to improve resiliency and increase water quality and quantity to its users. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Henry received a $2,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $865,000 in principal forgiveness to clean and televise its collection system and replace or reline mains, service pipe, and manholes to update its system. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Henry also received a $2,000,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,405,000 in principal forgiveness to replace cast iron water main with PVC pipe, install hydrants and service lines, and construct a new ground storage tank. The loan terms are 0 percent for 30 years.

Huron received a $83,500 Solid Waste Management Program grant to purchase a new hook truck and six roll off containers. These are critical components of the new community drop off area planned for the new transfer station facility. These funds and local funds will cover the project costs.

Lake Norden received a $500,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace the north lift station and repair the wastewater treatment lagoons. The bids have come in higher than the estimate, and the city is looking for additional funding. Funding was previously awarded in March 2021. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Madison received a $109,560 Solid Waste Management Program grant to purchase land for a new restricted use site facility because the current site is nearing capacity. These funds and local cash will cover the project costs.

Milbank received a $12,500,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to improve the water supply and treatment system, including upgrading existing wells, adding new wells, upgrading pumps, and improving treatment capability. The terms of the loan are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Minnehaha Community Water Corp received a $4,670,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to upgrade existing control panels at water treatment plants having reached the end of their useful life and new pipeline to add capacity to the distribution system. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Mitchell received an additional $5,000,000 of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans with $1,000,000 principal forgiveness for construction of a 2.5 million-gallon ground storage tank and associated pump station and chemical feed facility, and modifications to the water distribution system. Additional funding was awarded previously in January 2022. The loan terms are 1.875 percent for 30 years.

North Sioux City received a $580,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to provide a connection between the city water distribution system and the Dakota Dunes Community Improvement District system to increase redundancy and storage capacity. This will also allow for more extensive maintenance to their respective towers with less risk of pressure issues. The terms of the loan are 3 percent for 20 years.

Philip received a $1,040,830 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan in additional funding to complete the improvements to the wastewater and storm sewer infrastructure in the Northeast area of the city and on Stewart Avenue. Additional funding was awarded previously in April 2022. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Philip also received a $800,342 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for the installation of new storm sewer pipe, storm sewer manholes, connection to the existing storm sewer, and new curb and gutter. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Saint Lawrence received a $1,138,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $967,300 in principal forgiveness to re-line and replace existing wastewater lines and place riprap at the lagoon. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Saint Lawrence also received a $940,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $799,000 in principal forgiveness to repair the existing ground storage tank, replace water lines, and to install new water lines to loop the system. The loan terms are 3 percent for 30 years.

Spearfish received an additional $3,648,327 of Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans for the construction of an additional well and new water storage tank to increase capacity for users. Additional funding was awarded previously in June 2022. The loan terms are 1.625 percent for 30 years. 

WEB Water Development Association received a $14,623,380 American Rescue Plan Act grant to construct parallel transmission mains. The project includes installation of 50 miles of 42- to 54-inch pipe to assist in the increased transmission of water. This project is part of the Water Investment in Northern South Dakota regionalization project with WEB Water Development Association, the city of Aberdeen, and BDM Rural Water System. Additional funding was previously awarded in September 2022.

The American Rescue Plan Act provides grants for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source projects. The state of South Dakota is making a historic investment in infrastructure by dedicating $600 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding for local water and wastewater infrastructure grants.

The Solid Waste Management Program provides grants and loans for solid waste disposal, recycling, and waste tire projects. The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated funding for the Solid Waste Management Program through the Governor’s Omnibus Water Funding Bill.

The Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, funded in part by revenues from the Petroleum Release Compensation Tank Inspection fee and the sale of lotto tickets, provides grants and loans for water, wastewater, and watershed projects. The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated water and waste funding for the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program through the Governor’s Omnibus Water Funding Bill.

The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Programs, which provide low-interest loans for wastewater, storm water, water conservation, nonpoint source projects, and public drinking water system projects. The programs are funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.

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

-30-