North Dakota Water Commission approves $31.8 million for state water projects

Bismarck, North Dakota – The State Water Commission (SWC) of North Dakota, which is comprised of Governor Doug Burgum, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, and eight other members nominated by the governor, is anticipating the launch of a plethora of new water projects in the years to come.

Not only has the SWC updated their cost-share policies and procedures following a process that lasted for an entire year and received a significant amount of input from public outreach, but they also voted for their final approval on Friday, December 9 for new policies that will be implemented during the fiscal year 2023-2025. This plan, together with the accompanying update, is intended to modify the organization’s initial Cost-Share Program in order to address more contemporary concerns regarding the construction of water projects.

“Today, the Water Commission approved funding to support the distribution of reclaimed water to be put to beneficial use,” said DWR Director Andrea Travnicek in a press release. “Supporting infrastructure to ensure adequate delivery of water supplies and reusing reclaimed water as an alternative is important for economic development opportunities in the state.”

The Cass Water District is going to get $9.8 million as a result of one of the several projects that have been approved by the SWC. The North Dakota Soybean Processor’s (NDSP) new proposed location is located north of Cassleton, and the purpose of this grant is to facilitate the transfer of reclaimed water from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Effluent Reuse Facility in Fargo to the new proposed location of the NDSP, which includes the installation of 29 miles of distribution pipelines.

“These critical infrastructure projects will provide essential water supplies and flood protection to our citizens, supporting economic development and making our communities more resilient against droughts and flooding,” said Governor Doug Burgum in the release. “The State Water Commission appreciates the public’s input on the Cost-Share Program and will continue working with the Department of Water Resources to ensure that our Resources Trust Fund – which is entirely supported by oil tax revenue – is deployed for important projects like these that will benefit current and future generations of North Dakotans.”

In addition to the program that is being carried out by the Cass Rural Water District, the SWC has also voted to approve funding for a variety of other municipal, regional, and rural water supply projects. These projects include those that are geared toward the regulation of floods and the fulfillment of basic water requirements.