Ward County Low-Head Dam Remediation Part of Water Commission $30.4 Million Funding Approvals

BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) approved more than $30.4 million in cost-share funding for water supply and other water infrastructure projects across the state during its December 16 meeting in Bismarck. The approved projects include municipal and rural water supply improvements, along with statewide water resource initiatives that support public safety and enhance data collection.

“State investment in projects like these ensures our communities will have the reliable water supplies, flood protection and other critical infrastructure needed to support existing users and accommodate future growth, all while reducing the local cost burden,” said Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden, who chaired the SWC meeting.

Approved Projects Include:

• Greater Ramsey Water District – South System Phase II Expansion – $551,250
• City of Mandan – Proper Northwest Improvements – $163,800
• Ward County Water Resource District – Ward County Low Head Dams – $262,117
• Cass Rural Water Users District – 2026 System Improvements – $305,220
• Fort Berthold Rural Water – Parshall to White Shield Regionalization – $693,964
• City of Valley City – Northwest Standpipe Replacement Project – $2,519,214
• East Central Rural Water District – Hillsboro Area Water Treatment Plant Expansion – $15,906,121
• East Central Rural Water District – Hillsboro Area Supply, Transmission, and Distribution – $9,452,292
• Department of Water Resources – 3D Hydrography Program for North Dakota, Phase 1 – $550,000

Projects receiving significant funding include the City of Valley City’s Northwest Standpipe Replacement Project and two projects for the East Central Rural Water District, including the Hillsboro Area Water Treatment Plant Expansion and a cost-share increase for supply, transmission, and distribution improvements. The Valley City project will replace aging storage infrastructure to improve system pressures and reliability, while East Central’s projects will expand treatment capacity and strengthen water supply and transmission infrastructure to meet current and future demand. The Hillsboro Area Water Treatment Plant Expansion also leverages more than $12 million in federal loan forgiveness.

The SWC consists of eight members appointed by the Governor, the Ag Commissioner, plus the Governor as chairperson. Cost-share funding approved by the SWC is primarily supported by North Dakota’s Resources Trust Fund, which receives 20.5 percent of the state’s oil extraction tax revenue.

For more information, visit https://www.dwr.nd.gov/