The Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved over $103.5 million in grants and loans for water projects in South Dakota.
This money will go to improving drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure projects in the state, according to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“This funding will result in upgraded drinking water, wastewater, and solid waste infrastructure allowing for improved service and enhanced environmental protection," said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts.
Several communities through the state will receive these grants. Belle Fourche will get money to purchase a pre-shredding machine to reduce the volume of solid waste going to the landfill. Brookings will use loans to replace lead service lines in the water system and build a new water softening treatment plant. Gayville will replace sanitary and storm sewers and improve its wastewater treatment facility. Loans for Sioux Falls will allow for a new sanitary sewer trunk and improvements to the Big Sioux River watershed. Sturgis will replace sanitary sewer mains, and Vermillion will build a new water collection pond to increase storage capacity at the landfill.
Some water management systems will also receive money. The Clay Rural Water System will use funds to replace its water treatment plant. Terry Trojan Water Project District in Lead will replace water meters with water pits and install an automatic reading system. Tripp County Water Users District will replace storage tanks, increase water pressure and expand the well field of its water system.
The grants were awarded through the DANR's Drinking Water Fund, Clean Water Fund, and Solid Waste Management Program.
