Red River Valley Water Supply Project (RRVWSP) representatives will soon be out meeting with potential recipients of the supplemental and emergency water supply. More than 30 rural water systems and cities originally signed on for the development phase of the project. The project is now in the construction phase and the Cities of Grand Forks and Fargo have made financial commitments to the project.
So far, representatives of Garrison Diversion Conservancy District (Garrison Diversion), Lake Agassiz Water Authority (LAWA), and the project’s consultants have met with the city of Carrington, Southeast Water Users District, and a group of water systems in northeast North Dakota. Additional meetings will be scheduled in the fourth quarter of 2023 and into 2024. RRVWSP leaders intend to meet with water system leaders from central North Dakota to the Red River Valley to answer questions and provide information.
At the North Dakota State Water Commission (SWC) meeting on August 10, a $180 million cost-share request for the RRVWSP was approved. It is the largest single approval the SWC has ever considered. During the 2023 legislative session, North Dakota lawmakers approved legislative intent for the RRVWSP for a historic $953 million in future funding, which includes the approved $180 million in the Department of Water Resources Budget, SB 2020.
“The Red River Valley Water Supply Project is essential to serve the central and eastern side of our state during drought conditions,” said Andrea Travnicek, Department of Water Resources Director. “We are proud to support sustainable and resilient water infrastructure like this project and others that put the Missouri River to beneficial use for our citizens, industry and overall economy.”
Lawmakers also approved long-term, affordable financing during the legislative session through North Dakota’s Water Infrastructure Revolving Loan Fund (WIRLF). During the August 10 meeting, the SWC also authorized Garrison Diversion to seek $60 million from the State’s WIRLF through the Bank of North Dakota.
“We are setting up meetings to provide the latest information about the Red River Valley Water Supply Project’s status, including the project’s timeline, construction schedule, and the projected cost to the end users,” explains Merri Mooridian, Garrison Diversion Administrative Officer and Deputy Program Manager of RRVWSP Administration. “Accessing long-term, affordable financing for the end users is a critical step forward for the project because it will help make participation feasible for smaller water systems and cities. We are very thankful for the support from legislators, the Bank of North Dakota, the Department of Water Resources, and the State Water Commission.”
If your water system is interested in receiving water from the RRVWSP, reach out to Duane DeKrey at 701-652-3194 to set up a meeting.