BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) met yesterday and approved funding for 23 water infrastructure projects totaling approximately $34.3 million in cost-share support across the state.
Chaired by Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, the SWC approved investments in municipal, regional and rural water supply improvements, dam remediation and flood control efforts aimed at enhancing long-term water sustainability and community resilience.
"Today’s Water Commission meeting underscored our strong commitment to investing in North Dakota’s water infrastructure,” Lt. Gov. Strinden said. “With the approval of 23 projects and the allocation of more than $34 million in funding, we’re taking meaningful steps to ensure every North Dakotan has access to reliable, sustainable water resources – now and for generations to come.”
Approved projects included:
General Water Projects:
· Ward County Water Resource District (WRD) – Low Head Dams Remediation – $153,750
· City of Mayville – Dam 2 Reconstruction Project – $259,460
Water Supply Projects:
· City of New Town – Sand Hill Water Tower Replacement Project – $153,000
· Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA) – Williston Regional Water Treatment Plant Improvements – $926,679
· WAWSA – McKenzie County WRD System 4 Part 4 – $300,000
· WAWSA – Northwest Rural Water District - East Williston County Road 9 Expansion – $5,952,752
· City of Mandan – 2025 Reconstruction – $4,539,708
· City of Mandan – Water Treatment Plant Phase 3 – $6,290,034
· City of Mandan – Memorial Highway Water Main – $883,674
· City of Dickinson – Dickinson High School Watermain Extension – $236,691
· City of Dickinson – Sims Street Improvements (2nd St E to 9th St E) – $959,736
· City of Dickinson – 2025 Watermain Replacement Project – $1,918,834
· City of Bismarck – Regional Food-Grade CO2 Storage Facility – $1,821,984
· City of Bismarck - HC 165 Watermain Expansion – $1,066,092
· City of Bismarck - WU 146 Watermain Replacement – $1,736,939
· City of Bismarck - WU 147 Watermain Rehabilitation – $1,137,406
· City of Jamestown – Lime Sludge Filter Press & Recycle – $574,350
· City of Napoleon – 2025 Water Extension Project – $515,691
· City of West Fargo – Westwood Addition Reconstruction – $850,206
· City of Williston – Sloulin Drive Improvement Project – $489,282
· Agassiz Water Users District – 2022 Expansion Phase 2 – $98,659
· Northwest Area Water Supply – Intake & Snake Creek Pumping Plant - $1,310,000
Flood Control:
· City of Minot – Mouse River Flood Project Loan – $41 million (Note: loan not part of the $30.8 million cost-share total)
The SWC also approved $2.2 million for the construction of a 500,000-gallon, above-ground water storage tank, called the Buffalo Gap Tank, on the state-owned Southwest Pipeline Project. The new tank will be in Golden Valley County approximately 4.9 miles east of Sentinel Butte and will enhance water service to southwest North Dakota.
The SWC also unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation for former DWR Director Andrea Travnicek, recognizing her commitment to managing North Dakota’s water resources and her leadership on numerous initiatives during her tenure, including key studies, public education campaigns, and advancing research into managed aquifer recharge.
Since the beginning of the 2023-2025 biennium funding cycle, the SWC has approved approximately $573 million for water supply, flood protection and other critical water management projects across North Dakota. SWC funding originates from 20.5% of the state’s oil extraction tax revenues. For additional information, please visit www.dwr.nd.gov.