FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, March 28, 2024

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Dana Munyon, dana.munyon@state.sd.us

FOR PROJECT DETAILS: Visit here

DANR Announces More Than $172 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 $172,554,815 in grants and loans for drinking water, wastewater, storm water and solid waste projects in South Dakota.

The $172,554,815 total consists of $20,007,550 in grants and $152,547,265 in low-interest loans, including $10,986,600 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 help 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, Solid Waste Management Program, Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, and the Water Environment Fund to the following:

Aberdeen received a $10,000,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct a 1.5-million-gallon elevated tower and transmission pipeline in the northeast part of Aberdeen to address the need for additional water for existing users in that area of town. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 20 years.

Alcester received a $1,530,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $766,000 in principal forgiveness to televise the entire collection system to determine the condition of aging sewer lines, followed by relining and replacement of select lines and manholes. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Aurora received a $1,751,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan, a $1,030,800 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction Grant, and $601,400 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to construct a 250,000-gallon elevated water tower to replace the existing tower and 1,400 feet of water main. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Clear Lake received a $3,500,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace the main lift station, valve vault, the force main pipe to the primary cell of the wastewater treatment system, and upgrades to 1,800 feet of storm sewer pipe and storm sewer structures. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Clear Lake also received a $3,694,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace existing water main and appurtenances in the northwest portion of the city including approximately 7,000 feet of PVC water main. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Colton received a $323,748 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace a segment of sanitary sewer currently inaccessible due to proximity of adjacent buildings. This project will include connection to the existing upstream and downstream manholes, an addition of new manholes, and approximately 550 feet of PVC sanitary sewer main. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Colton also received a $766,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace approximately 1,180 feet of existing cast iron pipe servicing its business district. These improvements will reduce maintenance due to water main breaks on this segment of pipe. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System received a $1,000,000 Water Environment Fund Appropriation grant to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability and costs to provide water and system interconnects throughout east central and southeastern South Dakota to assure water availability to meet current user needs and provide for future growth.

Elkton received a $936,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $934,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Water Quality grant to continue replacing vitrified clay sewer main including 3,530 feet of sewer main and associated sewer structures. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Elkton also received a $778,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $222,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction grant to continue replacing cast iron water main piping south of the railroad tracks. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Faith received a $1,250,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $620,000 in principal forgiveness to construct a new elevated water storage tower and make improvements to adjacent water mains to connect to the system. The city previously received funding in September 2022 and March 2021 for this project. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Gary received a $2,015,822 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $815,000 in principal forgiveness to televise the existing system and replace existing clay sanitary sewer main and manholes and rehabilitate lateral service lines. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Green Valley Sanitary District received a $2,763,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with 100 percent principal forgiveness, a $237,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Water Quality grant, and a $2,000,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to remove septic system and install a centralized sewer collection system.

Hudson received a $648,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $647,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to replace wastewater collection line and sewer services as well as stormwater collection lines impacted by the wastewater line replacement. The city previously received funding in May 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Hudson also received a $1,107,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $782,000 in principal forgiveness to replace existing pressurized water storage tanks with a ground water storage tank and booster system, as well as replacing aging water distribution lines and installing water main loops. The city previously received funding in May 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 30 years.

Iroquois received a $1,900,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,137,000 in principal forgiveness to replace the main lift station and force main. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Kadoka received a $800,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace vitrified clay pipe in its sanitary sewer collection system and replace adjoining manholes and service lines. The city previously received funding in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Kingbrook Rural Water System received a $14,500,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct 15.5 of transmission main and other facilities to enhance the reliability of the existing water system and add capacity to the DeSmet WTP service area. The loan terms are 3.50 percent for 30 years.

Lake Preston received a $2,653,600 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan with $1,063,600 in principal forgiveness to replace aged sanitary sewer mains, sewer service lines, manholes and related appurtenances. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Lake Preston also received a $2,492,100 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $2,118,200 in principal forgiveness to replace aged cast iron water mains, service lines, valves, hydrants, and related appurtenances. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 30 years.

Lincoln County Rural Water System received a $3,078,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct a second connection to Lewis & Clark Regional Water System including a meter building, process piping, site piping, electrical equipment, and all other necessary appurtenant work. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Mobridge received a $7,350,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct new final clarifiers, repurpose existing tanks for new treatment processes and to implement a sludge dewatering system to improve biosolids processing and disposal. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Niche Sanitary District received a $220,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan, a $821,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Water Quality grant, and a $656,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to install a centralized collection system and connect to Summerset with a gravity sewer and lift station including new collection mains, service lines, and pumping systems. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

North Brookings Sanitary & Water District received a $1,597,450 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $761,550 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to reline sanitary sewer lines and rehabilitate manholes throughout the wastewater collection system. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Parker received a $1,669,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan for wastewater improvements. The project will replace existing vitrified clay pipe with PVC and replace existing storm water infrastructure. The city previously received funding in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Parker also received a $1,215,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $862,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Construction grant to replace cast iron water main and loop portions of distribution system. The city previously received funding in April 2022 for this project. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Parkston received a $1,500,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to install an ammonia removal system, a disinfection system, dredge treatment ponds, and restore wastewater treatment pond capacity. This project will improve effluent quality and allow the facility to meet discharge limits. The city previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The terms of the loan are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Pierre received a $1,303,200 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $325,800 Solid Waste Management Program grant to construct a fourth landfill disposal cell to provide uninterrupted landfill disposal services to customers. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 10 years.

Platte received a $370,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan for exterior rehabilitation of its water storage structures. The terms of the loan are 3.25 percent for 10 years.

Rapid City received a $35,000,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to build out its South Water Reclamation Facility and decommission its North Plant. The city previously received funding in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 20 years.

Seneca received a $440,800 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $321,800 in principal forgiveness to install new water meters and install several new water mains to loop lines, removing dead-end water main lines. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 30 years.

Sioux Falls received a $23,130,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to continue the Basin 15 project by connecting the stopping point of phase 1 and extending infrastructure south of 12^th street for approximately one mile. The Basin 15 sewer expansion project will open over 1,200 acres of land in the northwest part of Sioux Falls for future development. The loan terms are 3.25 percent for 20 years.

Sioux Falls also received a $590,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant to upgrade the supervisory control and data acquisition systems for the Landfill Leachate and Landfill Gas Systems Control Upgrades project.

Sioux Rural Water System received a $11,252,165 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan with $600,000 in principal forgiveness to construct parallel and new pipelines, replace pumps, install a well, provide service to an existing mobile home park, and construct a new ground storage reservoir. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 30 years.

South Eastern Council of Governments received a $500,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant to recapitalize its regional revolving loan fund program. This funding allows SECOG to provide low-interest loans for solid waste management and recycling projects in the region.  

Southern Black Hills Water System received a $1,584,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $1,597,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to install a new well, booster pump station, water storage tank, a new chlorination system, a SCADA system, and water main to connect the Paramount Point and Spring Creek Acres Service areas. Southern Black Hills Water System previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Spring Creek/Cow Creek Sanitary District received a $3,627,880 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to construct a new wastewater treatment system to meet current permit limits and provide for planned future growth. The sanitary district previously received a funding package in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Vermillion received a $4,211,500 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to extend sewer services to the Northeast basin to allow for future development. The loan terms are 3.5 percent for 20 years.

Viborg received a $512,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to expand existing sanitary sewer collection and storm sewer systems to accommodate the development of future industrial sites. The project includes extension of PVC sanitary sewer main, installation of storm sewer main, and associated appurtenances. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Water Investment in Northern South Dakota (WINS) received a $5,000,000 Water Environmental Fund Appropriation grant to provide up to 42.1 million gallons per day of treated drinking water to the northeast South Dakota region. The project is a collaboration between the city of Aberdeen, BDM Rural Water System, and WEB Water Development Association and consists of 148 miles of pipeline and associated water treatment and storage infrastructure.

Western Dakota Regional Water System received a $1,000,000 Water Environment Fund Appropriation grant to conduct a feasibility study to determine the viability and costs of providing over 58 million gallons of water per day throughout western South Dakota to assure water availability in case of a long-term drought, meet current user needs, and provide for future growth.

Winner received a $500,000 Solid Waste Management Program grant to purchase an existing solid waste handling facility and equipment to include a walking floor trailer, used semi tractor, four roll off containers, a mini excavator to facilitate the loading of garbage within the facility, and standardized solid waste containers for individual and commercial use.

Worthing received a $1,078,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $722,000 Clean Water State Revolving Fund Water Quality grant for the Wastewater Treatment Facility Improvements project. This project includes the rehabilitation of an existing lagoon to include ammonia removal treatment equipment and constructing new sanitary sewer and storm sewer collection pipes. The city previously received funding in April 2022 for this project. The loan terms are 3.75 percent for 30 years.

Appropriations from the Water Environment Fund and Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program are funded in part by revenues from the Petroleum Release Compensation Tank Inspection fee and the sale of lotto tickets. These appropriations provide funding for water, wastewater, and watershed projects. The Legislature annually appropriates dedicated water and waste funding for State Water Resources Management System projects in the form of Water Environment Fund Appropriations and the Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program through the Governor’s Omnibus Water Funding Bill.

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 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-