BISMARCK, ND - The State Water Commission (SWC) approved $72.6 million in cost-share requests today during its regular meeting. Chaired by Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, the commission approved a total of 15 projects for cost-share, including a $50 million project to expand Bismarck’s water treatment plant. Funding for the treatment plant was specifically identified in Senate Bill 2020, the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) budget bill.
“North Dakota continues to make substantial cost-share investments in critical water infrastructure, including for our growing capital city, with support from the State Water Commission, Department of Water Resources, state Legislature and robust oil tax revenues flowing into the Resources Trust Fund,” Miller said. “These water supply and flood control projects will make our communities safer, more resilient and better positioned for economic expansion for generations to come.”
The Bismarck Water Treatment Plant project will expand its capacity by 10 million gallons per day, for a total capacity of 40 million gallons per day. Construction is expected to begin at the end of 2025. Improvements will include replacing aging and limited capacity process components, a raw water blending structure, ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis systems, and replacement of the existing surface water intake pipeline, screening and pumps, among other updates.
“Supporting projects that provide North Dakotans with sufficient supplies of quality water remains a high priority of the Water Commission and DWR,” said DWR Director Andrea Travnicek. “Future expansion efforts at the Bismarck Water Treatment Plant are a great example, ensuring a more sustainable water supply for people and economic development in our capital city.”
The SWC also approved $18.2 million for nine other municipal, rural and regional water supply projects, and $4.4 million for five different flood protection and general water management projects.
Since the beginning of the 2023-2025 biennium funding cycle, the SWC has approved cost-share totaling more than $403 million for water supply, flood protection and other general water management projects across the state. The primary purpose of the cost-share program is to assist local project sponsors with financial support for water development projects. The 10-member SWC consists of Gov. Doug Burgum as chairman, Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring, and eight members appointed by the governor to serve six-year terms. For additional information, please visit www.dwr.nd.gov.