Peace Garden News

The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation has allocated $32,482,941 to various water infrastructure projects in tribal nations across North Dakota. This funding is part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which was crafted and negotiated with the help of U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND), who serves as the Ranking Member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

"North Dakota’s tribal nations need updated water infrastructure to meet the vital needs of their communities," stated Senator Cramer. "These awards will modernize aging systems and protect the delivery of clean, reliable water across the state."

The funds are designated for several projects:

- The Turtle Mountain Public Utility Commission (PUC) receives $11,482,871 to improve efficiency and reliability in water supply infrastructure by upgrading raw water collection lines.

- An additional $10,831,393 is awarded to replace aging 200 class PVC with new 250 class PVC.

- Another project grants $5,029,945 to replace glued PVC pipe with gasketed PVC pipe.

- The Fort Berthold Rural Water System will receive $1,800,000 for installing master meters at key locations to support a reservation-wide automated meter reading system.

- Spirit Lake Rural Water will get $755,789 for a project aimed at eliminating bottlenecks restricting flow in Fort Totten.

- The Mandaree Community Metering Project is allocated $700,000 for installing 138 water meters.

- Turtle Mountain PUC receives $530,496 for replacing a water main at Reservoir C.

- Standing Rock Indian Reservation is set to receive $500,000 for replacing three Master Meter vaults and modernizing two Control Vaults' Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition systems.

- Another allocation provides Turtle Mountain PUC with $407,950 for replacing a water main at Reservoir C East.

- A sum of $275,268 is dedicated to removing and replacing filter media in Spirit Lake Rural Water Treatment Plant's Tonka Tank.

- Finally, Spirit Lake Rural Water Treatment Plant will have all pneumatic valves replaced with an investment of $169,229.

This initiative aims to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of essential water services across these communities.