WDRWS Issue 5, Quarter 2, 2024

WESTERN DAKOTA REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM

WDRWS Newsletter

Meetings with South Dakota’s Congressional Delegation

In February 2024 WDRWS representatives Cheryl Chapman, Executive Director, and Miranda Kleven, Engineering Team Member, attended the annual Rural Water Rally in Washington, DC. Cheryl and Miranda took the opportunity to update South Dakota’s Congressional delegation members and staff about the project progress and the top Federal priority: receiving congressional authorization for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation to work with WDRWS in the preparation of a feasibility study to deliver Missouri River water to western South Dakota.

Thank you to the state of South Dakota’s delegation. Senators Rounds and Thune and Representative Johnson have been and continue to be very supportive of regional water efforts across the State of South Dakota.

A federally approved feasibility study is required before funding for design and construction can be approved.

Cheryl and Miranda joined other delegates from the South Dakota Association of Regional Water Systems (SDARWS) to meet with Senator Thune, Senator Rounds, and Representative Johnson on the urgent need for the Congressional authorization. Cheryl and Miranda also met with senior leaders in the Bureau of Reclamation in the Department of Interior headquarters.

The team from engineering consultants AE2S visits Pierre during the 2024 legislative session.

Meet our interns

Thanks to a generous grant from Elevate Rapid City, we’ve been able to bring on some fantastic interns to help at the WDRWS office.

These eager young professionals are excited to contribute and learn more about the management of natural resources. We’ll be speaking with the interns in next quarter’s newsletter to learn more about them. Stay tuned.

Meet our new Board Member

Adam McMahon is the new Director of Public Works for the city of Spearfish. He replaces Nick Broyles both as Public Works Director and as a Board Member for WDRWS. Adam graduated from SD Mines and served as a project engineer for the SD DOT for more than 10 years. In 2017, Adam was hired by the city of Spearfish. In 2024, he started as Director of Public Works.

Legislative Session 2024

WDRWS is thankful for the legislative passage and signing of Senate Bills 16 and 53. Both are acts to make appropriations for water and environmental purposes.

Governor Noem signed SB 53 on March 14. The legislation includes $89,384,221 in federal fund expenditure authority to the Board of Water and Natural Resources to provide grants for eligible water and wastewater projects previously awarded American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. WDRWS is requesting the Board of Water and Natural Resources to award $2.165M of the ARPA funding to assist in the technical studies for the proposed project.

On February 15, the Governor signed Senate Bill 16, which includes a $1

million grant for WDRWS to conduct a feasibilitylevel study and administration of the study. These funds won’t entirely pay for the $13 million study, but will provide a large percentage of the resources required. The approved appropriations will come from the South Dakota Water and Environment Fund and be distributed by the Board of Water and Natural Resources.

“Thank you to Governor Noem, the South Dakota Legislature, and the Board of Water and Natural Resources for prioritizing water and planning for the future,” says Doug Curry, P.E., WDRWS President.

Feasibility Study

The WDRWS feasibility study involves the evaluation of potential Missouri River and Lake Oahe intake locations,

interconnectedness of existing water resources, and pipeline routing from the Missouri River. The WDRWS was formed in late 2021 and the feasibility study began in early 2022. The initial study is projected to be completed by the end of 2026.

“The Western Dakota Regional Water System has the potential to provide generational benefits to west river residents. Funding the project’s feasibility study is the first step to finding a long-term solution to the region’s water supply limitations as we face continued population growth,” says Senator Helene Duhamel of Rapid City.

The State of South Dakota previously allocated $1 million to the WDRWS feasibility study during the 2023 legislative session, as well as $8 million in ARPA funds in 2022. West river communities, water systems, and organizations have contributed over $300,000 that was matched through State Water Resources Management System (SWRMS) funding. Following 2024 legislative action, the SD Board of Water & Natural Resources awarded WDRWS another $1 million grant, which requires $250,000 in local match.

These state and local funds will help us in our feasibility analysis to ensure that all of western South Dakota has access to abundant, quality water. Thank you to the South Dakota Legislature and Governor for the ongoing support for WDRWS.

Check out our refreshed website

Keep up with the latest and learn more about the mission and work of WDRWS at WDRWS.org.

Become a member

Individuals and water system organizations of any size are able to support the work of WDRWS. So whether you’re a subdivision, a municipality or an organization who has a stake in our water future, please consider joining.

Membership runs on a calender basis, starting on January 1 of each year.

Class 1 Member

Voting member –$1500 annual dues

An organization with at least 200 residential connections or commercial equivalent

Class 2 Member

Voting member –$750 annual dues

An organization with less than 200 connections or commercial equivalent or an organization with over 200 residential connections that is fully built out within its jurisdictional territory

Associate Member

Non-voting member –$375 annual dues

Any firm, corporation, political entity, or subdivision not eligible to be a voting member but desiring to support WDRWS

Supporting Individual

Non-member –$50 annual dues

Any individual or interested party desiring to support WDRWS

Share this newsletter or subscribe

To share a digital version of this newsletter, read past newsletters or to subscribe to receive a copy of the WDRWS newsletters in the future, scan the QR code to the right or visit wdrws.org/ newsletter.

Save the Dates

Quarterly Technical Sessions

July 12, 2024, 12:00 pm Framework of Tribal Water Law with Mark Van Norman, Attorney for the Great Plains Tribal Chairmen’s Association and multiple Tribes. Understanding of Tribal water historic legal foundations to current law.

Future topics will be announced soon.

Annual Meeting

The WDRWS Annual Meeting will be held on September 5, 2024 at the Box Events Center in Box Elder.

PO Box 484

WESTERN DAKOTA REGIONAL WATER SYSTEM

Rapid City, South Dakota 57709

The WDRWS Story So Far

Five years ago, a study from SD Mines concluded that during extended drought conditions, western South Dakota’s current water supply wouldn’t be abundant enough to sustain its current population.

These findings served as the catalyst for the founding of WDRWS. Today, we’re happy to see continued growth in our membership and progress occuring. Please join us in reviewing a few of the highlights of the project so far.

2019

• West Dakota Water Development District receives SD Mines report, recommending renewal of Missouri River future use permit and implementation of project to deliver water to western Pennington County.

2020

• West Dakota Water Development District seeks feedback on report

• Survey of potential stakeholders;

informational meetings

• Recommendations: governance, technical assessment, and funding

2021

• Water use study

• Incorporate new non-profit in September 2021

• Named on the State Water Plan

• 1st Annual Meeting and Water Summit

• Advertise for engineer

2022

• Submit funding application to state

• Competitively select engineering team: AE2S, Black & Veatch, and KLJ

• Receive $8M in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding

• Begin canvassing and feasibility planning

2023

• Open memberships

• Receive $1M state grant

• Raise $303,500 in local funds

and dues

• Canvassing meetings

• Gathering system’s data and determining needs

• Research intake & pipe route options

• SD Mines updates water demand projections

2024

• Receive 2nd $1M state grant

• Request additional ARPA funding

• USGS finalizes report on water availability

• Seek Congressional authorization for Reclamation Feasibility Study

• Evaluate water needs based on canvassing data

• Prepare conceptual design for waterline

We hope that you continue to follow along with this long term project and please consider joining the conversation by becoming a member, if you haven’t already.

Cheryl Chapman, PhD, PE Executive Director

Become a member by filling out this ticket and mailing it to Western Dakota Regional Water System, PO Box 484, Rapid City, SD 57709. You can also join electronically at wdrws.org/membership.

Member Information Organization First Last Phone Number Email Address

Membership Choice (circle one) Class 1 Member Class 2 Member Associate Member Supporting Individual