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BISMARCK, ND — At its June meeting, the North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) approved 26 cost-share requests for a broad range of strategic initiatives designed to enhance water infrastructure, support economic development, and ensure sustainable water access across the state. In total, the SWC approved more than $216 million in funding assistance for North Dakota water projects.
“These funding approvals showcase our continuing commitment to build and maintain resilient water infrastructure across the state,” Department of Water Resources Director Reice Haase said. “The range and scale of these projects reflect both the demand for modern infrastructure and our shared vision for long-term sustainability.”
Highlights from the meeting include:
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Southwest Pipeline Project (SWPP): The SWC authorized the Secretary to execute a memorandum of understanding that will enable the community of Manning’s residents to become SWPP rural water customers. The SWC also authorized the Secretary to execute agreements related to hydraulic improvements in Dunn County, raw water supply upgrades, and service to Net-Zero in Richardton.
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Northwest Area Water Supply (NAWS): Key milestones included awarding a major contract for intake and pumping plant modifications, an agreement with the City of Minot for water supply and treatment services, and critical pump rebuild reimbursements from the NAWS Extraordinary Maintenance Fund.
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Flood Control and General Water Management Initiatives: The Commission approved funding for the Dickinson Northwest Regional Pond Feasibility Study ($240,000), Valley Street bank stabilization in Ward County ($165,000), Crystal Springs Watershed Initiative in Stutsman County ($18,000), Department of Environmental Quality’s Nonpoint Source Pollution team ($200,000), and United States Geologic Survey Cooperative Monitoring Program ($538,378).
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Rural, Regional and Municipal Water Projects: More than $215 million in cost-share funding was allocated for key water supply infrastructure projects for rural, regional, and municipal water systems.
· City of Grafton Water System Replacement 2026 – Phase 1 — $225,000
· City of Minot 11th Ave NW Watermain Replacement — $120,000
· City of Minot Dacotah Homes & 2nd Ave SW Watermain — $120,000
· City of Cando 4th Avenue Watermain Replacement — $395,084
· City of Kindred Elm Street Watermain Replacement Project — $430,723
· City of Belfield Water Improvements – Phase 1 — $1,314,186
· City of Grand Forks 47th Avenue S Transmission and Extension — $1,545,020
· City of Grand Forks Highway 81 Area – Phase 2 — $1,138,220
· City of Jamestown 2025 Watermain Replacement North — $873,335
· City of Jamestown 2025 Water Main Replacement South — $1,797,994
· City of Kenmare 2025 Water Main Replacement — $867,627
· Western area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA) Water Treatment Plant Intake – Phase 2 — $1,254,750
· WAWSA McKenzie County Water Resource District System 2 Expansion Rural — $14,346,000
· WAWSA Northwest Rural Water District East Williston CR9 – Alt 1 — $1,972,793
· Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (GDCD) Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP) '25–27 Funding — $150,000,000
· East Central Rural Water District Hillsboro Area Supply - $12,675,453
· South Central Rural Water District University of Mary Service Area - $1,345,725
· Southeast Water User District West Water Treatment Plant - $16,308,863
· North Prairie Rural Water District Mountrail County Phase III - $2,016,603
· Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Highway 3 Corridor Phase II - $6,853,148
Additionally, the North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR), along with the SWC, recently assisted the Spirit Lake Nation in addressing a critical water quality issue by supporting the installation of a mobile greensand filter unit. The new unit temporarily replaces a failed permanent filter that had led to unsafe levels of manganese in the community’s drinking water. This emergency project ensures continued access to water that meets Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for approximately 1,100 service connections, which serve approximately 4,000 residents. The DWR approved cost-share participation covering 75 percent of eligible construction costs, not to exceed $100,000.
DWR’s Cost-Share funding is almost entirely supported by North Dakota’s Resources Trust Fund (RTF), which is funded from 20.5 percent of the state’s oil extraction tax.
The SWC also approved the distribution of two Requests For Information (RFI) that will initiate Legislatively required studies as mandated during the 2025 Legislative Assembly.
The first RFI is related to the SWC’s Cost-Share Program policy and will evaluate if project funding for water projects, in conjunction with existing cost-share policy, will adequately address anticipated water project funding needs through July 1, 2039. In addition, this study is to evaluate the schedules or timing of water projects and the state’s financial role in deferred maintenance and replacement projects and recommend strategies to address potential funding shortfalls.
The other RFI pertains to a study of the long-term governance and finance models of three large regional water supply systems – NAWS, SWPP, and Red River Water Supply Project. The study will include an evaluation of the operational and organizational aspects of these three regional systems.
For more information, visit https://www.dwr.nd.gov/
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