DANR Announces More Than $38 million for Central South Dakota Water & Wastewater Projects

South Dakota State News

The South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR) announced the Board of Water and Natural Resources has approved $38,747,680 in grants and loans for drinking water and wastewater projects in central South Dakota. These awards are part of more than $1.1 billion in statewide awards approved by the board today.

The $38,747,680 total includes $20,705,764 in grants and $18,041,916 in low-interest loans to be administered by the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

“I am pleased to announce this financial assistance is available,” said DANR Secretary Hunter Roberts. “These grants and loans will result in upgraded wastewater and drinking water systems which is good for the users and the environment.”

The grants and loans were awarded from DANR’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to the following:

• Bowdle received a $1,583,133 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $762,176 ARPA grant to make wastewater system improvements. The project includes rehabilitating the sanitary sewer main to the wastewater ponds, installation of new PVC piping, manhole replacement, and upgrades to the wastewater treatment ponds. The loan terms are 2.125% at 30 years. These funds along with local ARPA funds will support the project costs.
• Corsica received a $555,922 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $341,078 ARPA grant to install storm water infrastructure and replace deficient sewer lines in the community. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.
• Corsica also received a $283,500 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $121,500 ARPA grant to replace deficient water lines in the community. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.
• Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources received a $1,000,000 ARPA grant for its Riparian Buffer Initiative to trap sediment, reduce erosion, sequester carbon, and reduce nutrient loading along rivers and streams. Riparian buffers are an effective way to filter out pollutants by slowing down runoff and allowing sediment to filter out, which reduces harmful algal blooms and excessive aquatic plant growth.
• Gregory received a $3,116,400 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $1,335,600 ARPA grant to replace vitrified clay pipe with deficiencies including sags, fractures, infiltration, broken pipe, holes, offset and separated joints, and other issues. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.
• Gregory also received a $2,439,500 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $1,045,500 ARPA grant to replace water mains and associated system appurtenances. The upgrades will increase flow capacity, reduce loss of water, increase pressure in the system, and improve hydrant functionality. The loan terms are 0.00% for 30 years.
• Kennebec received a $666,500 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $1,725,500 ARPA grant to replace the storm sewer on Main Street and replace the majority of the town’s wastewater collection system. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds and funding from other agencies will cover the cost of these improvements.
• Miller received a $683,579 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $113,421 ARPA grant to replace existing sanitary sewer pipe in various locations in town with new PVC pipe. The terms of the loan are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds along with local ARPA funds will support the cost of the project.
• Miller also received a $1,460,755 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $2,733,245 ARPA grant to abandon wells, make improvements to the existing ground storage tank and water tower, and replace existing and looping water mains in town. The terms of the loan are 1.875% for 30 years. These funds along with local ARPA funds will support the cost of the project.
• Mina Lake Sanitary District received a $246,400 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $105,600 ARPA grant to upgrade its water meters and transmitters to monitor its water system more effectively. These improvements will help operators find and address current issues more quickly. The loan terms are 1.875% interest for 10 years.
• Morristown received a $133,308 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program loan and a $69,292 ARPA grant to upgrade its existing drinking water system to address insufficient disinfection, inadequate water storage, and pressure issues. The town will relocate the chlorine dose point, add a large ground storage tank and booster pumps, and build improved flush points built into the distribution system. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.
• Pickstown received a $926,800 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $435,200 ARPA grant to address compliance issues by rehabilitating the existing collection system and removing the inflow from the sump pumps. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds in addition to local ARPA funds will cover the cost of this project.
• Plankinton received a $2,510,384 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $2,795,616 ARPA grant to replace or line all deficient sewer lines throughout the community and install a sewage lift station to serve the proposed Briggs Housing Development. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds as well as local cash and local ARPA funds will cover the cost of this project.
• Platte received a $482,100 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $207,900 ARPA grant to extend sewer mains and install a lift station. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds and other local funding will cover the cost of this project.
• Platte also received a $139,547 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $286,453 ARPA grant to extend water mains, repair water storage reservoirs, and install water meters with Automated Meter Reading technology. The loan terms are 1.875% for 30 years. These funds and additional local funds will support the cost of this project.
• Ravinia received a $191,700 ARPA grant, a $1,462,300 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction program grant, and a $211,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction program loan to make comprehensive upgrades to the existing drainage system by installing new storm sewer piping, removing existing culverts, and regrading ditches around the wastewater treatment facility. Loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds and local cash will support the costs of this project.
• Seneca received a $183,650 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $168,300 ARPA grant to televise its sewer system to identify critical structural deficiencies and to make general improvements to its existing treatment facility. Improvements include installing new depth gauges in both cells, building a gravel access around the existing ponds, installing new perimeter fencing and signage, and replacing the force main to the current lagoons. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.
• Spring Creek/Cow Creek Sanitary District received a $863,002 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $369,858 ARPA grant to complete upgrades and renovations to its sanitary sewer lagoon system. The project includes installation of a synthetic liner, influent piping, an inlet structure with a splitter box, and necessary appurtenances. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. The district also received a $444,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $1,776,000 ARPA grant for the construction of an elevated drinking water storage reservoir. The project also includes demolition of their current ground storage tank and pump house and installation of PVC water main pipe and all necessary appurtenances. Loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years.
• Timber Lake received a $551,000 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $2,624,491 ARPA grant to improve its water system by constructing a new water tower, replacing old cast iron piping with PVC water main, installing new fire hydrants and valves, bringing water to the rodeo grounds, and looping water mains to alleviate stagnant water in the system. The loan terms are 1.875% interest for 30 years. These funds and additional local funds will cover the cost of these improvements.
• Wagner received a $147,500 ARPA grant and a $90,000 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program grant to replace the water main along Walnut Avenue to provide better water flow capacity to that area of the community. These funds as well as local ARPA funds will cover the cost of this project.
• Wessington Springs received a $176,387 Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan to replace existing clay sanitary sewer mains within the Second Street corridor with PVC mains. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds and other community grants will cover the cost of this project.

In addition, Wessington Springs received a $43,974 Consolidated Water Facilities Construction program loan and a $278,726 ARPA grant to replace sewer mains within the College Avenue corridor on the southern edge of the community. Existing vitrified clay pipe will be replaced with PVC piping. The loan terms are 2.125% for 30 years. These funds and other local funds will support the cost of the project.

Wessington Springs also received a $341,075 Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan and a $337,925 ARPA grant to replace a cast iron water main with PVC piping from 2nd Street to the water treatment plant on the southern edge of the community. The loan terms are 1.625% for 30 years. These funds and other community funds will cover the cost of this project.

Finally, Wessington Springs also received a $180,883 ARPA grant to replace existing AC and VCP water and sanitary sewer mains within the 2nd Street corridor with PVC mains for both water and sewer. The loan terms are 1.625% for 30 years. These funds as well as local ARPA funds will cover the cost of this project.

The American Rescue Plan Act provides grants for eligible water, wastewater, storm water, and nonpoint source projects. The state of South Dakota is making a historic investment in infrastructure by dedicating $600 million of American Rescue Plan Act funding for local water and wastewater infrastructure grants.

The Consolidated Water Facilities Construction Program, funded in part by revenues from the Petroleum Release Compensation Tank Inspection fee and the sale of lotto tickets, provides grants and loans for water, wastewater, and watershed projects.

The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans for wastewater, storm water, water conservation, and nonpoint source projects. The program is funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.

The State of South Dakota and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fund the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Program, which provides low-interest loans for public drinking water system projects. The program is funded through a combination of federal appropriations, loan repayments, and bonds.

The board approved the funding.