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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, August 25, 2009
For more information: Kim Smith, (605) 773-3152
Sioux Falls, Minnehaha Community Water Corporation Receive National Awards for Environmental Protection
PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) announced today that the city of Sioux Falls and Minnehaha Community Water Corporation received national awards during a ceremony today in Sioux Falls.
The city of Sioux Falls was presented the Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success award. Minnehaha Community Water Corporation was presented the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Award for Sustainable Health Protection.
Both recipients were nominated by the DENR. The awards were presented locally on behalf of the federal Environmental Protection Agency by Brad Johnson, Watertown, chairman of the South Dakota Board of Water and Natural Resources. The board administers the state’s Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan programs.
The Performance and Innovation in the State Revolving Fund Creating Environmental Success award recognizes projects that best represent the Clean Water State Revolving Fund’s commitment to innovative and sustainable water quality financing. The Award for Sustainable Health Protection recognizes projects that represent the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund’s commitment to innovation in financing, creative use of partnerships, and promotion of sustainable infrastructure.
Sioux Falls was the first city to receive funding through the state’s Clean Water State Revolving Fund nonpoint source incentive program. The incentive program rewards wastewater and storm water projects with a lower interest rate for including a nonpoint source component within the applicant’s project proposal. Clean Water State Revolving Fund loans totaling approximately $57 million funded storm sewer improvements and construction of a new sanitary sewer in Sioux Falls, while simultaneously contributing more than $4 million to cost share best management practices for the Central Big Sioux Watershed Restoration project.
Minnehaha Community Water Corporation utilized Drinking Water State Revolving Fund financing to address regional water supply needs. Minnehaha expanded its water supply, water treatment, and delivery system to provide bulk water that is compliant with Safe Drinking Water Act regulations to the towns of Garretson and Colton. Garretson’s water violated the Safe Drinking Water Act limit for radionuclides. Colton’s water supply had high levels of hardness, iron, and manganese, and experienced high nitrate levels in the past.
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