North Dakota approves $30.4M for water infrastructure projects

BISMARCK, N.D. (Valley News Live) North Dakota communities will receive more than $30 million to upgrade aging water systems and expand infrastructure to meet growing demand.

The $30.4 million in cost-share funding will support municipal and rural water supply improvements, flood protection, and data collection initiatives. The State Water Commission approved these projects on Tuesday, Dec. 16.

“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,” Lt. Gov. Michelle Strinden said.

The East Central Rural Water District received the largest share of funding with two projects totaling more than $25 million. The district will use $15.9 million to expand its Hillsboro Area Water Treatment Plant and $9.5 million for supply, transmission and distribution improvements. The treatment plant expansion also leverages more than $12 million in federal loan forgiveness.

Valley City will receive $2.5 million to replace its Northwest Standpipe.

Other projects include water system expansions in Ramsey and Cass County, a regionalization project connecting Parshall to White Shield, and improvements to low-head dams in Ward County.

The commission also approved $550,000 for the Department of Water Resources to launch Phase 1 of a 3D Hydrography Program for North Dakota.

The funding comes from North Dakota’s Resources Trust Fund, which receives 20.5% of the state’s oil extraction tax revenue.

Copyright 2025 KVLY. All rights reserved.