$122M in funding for South Dakota water, wastewater plants nearing reality

Aberdeen, other communities expected to tap into federal stimulus for area projects

Julie Johnson, lobbyist for WEB Water, testified before the Joint Committee on Appropriations Thursday, Feb. 22. (Aberdeen Insider photo by Stephanie Staab)

PIERRE — The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Appropriations has signed off on more than $120 million on American Rescue Plan money for water and wastewater projects in South Dakota.

That’s money Aberdeen, WEB Water and BDM Rural Water could tap to continue expanding WEB’s infrastructure.

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With Senate Bill 53, which passed out of committee last week, the state Board of Water and Natural Resources will field applications from groups seeking part of the $122.38 million.

The federal money was part of a COVID-19 stimulus package. Awards must be granted by the end of 2024, and the money must be spent by the end of 2026.

Julie Johnson of Brown County, who testified on behalf of WEB Water, noted a memorandum of understanding between the city, BDM and WEB. With it, in the next handful of years, Aberdeen should have access to 4 million more gallons of water per day through the WEB system, which draws water from the Missouri River.