PIERRE – Nearly $1 million in Community Development Block Grants have been awarded to three communities in north central South Dakota – Gettysburg, Selby, and Bowdle – for improvements to their water and wastewater systems, Gov. Mike Rounds announced today.
“Those communities have problems with their water or wastewater systems that need to be addressed,” the Governor said. “These worthwhile projects will help guarantee that local residents have clean drinking water and adequate sanitary sewer systems.”
Water mains and sewer lines will be upgraded in Bowdle to eliminate sagging that has caused a number of blockages and backups.
“The system in Bowdle is due for a long-term, permanent upgrade,” said state Sen. Corey Brown, Legislative District 23. “Some of the existing water and sewer lines date back to the 1950s and 1960s, and the $515,000 in grant funds will go a long way in making these improvements possible.”
The total cost of the Bowdle project is $1,376,767.
The sewer system in Gettysburg has collapsed a number of times, partially filling the lines with sediment and subsoil material that causes the system to back up. To remedy the problem, Gettysburg will place nearly 20,000 feet of 8- and 12-inch pipe in the sanitary sewer system.
“These improvements are necessary to prevent storm water from infiltrating the system,” said state Rep. Justin Cronin, Legislative District 23. “I’m delighted to see the funds like the Community Development Block Grant go to work in our community.”
Gettysburg’s sewer upgrades will cost approximately $1 million; $207,500 of the total will be financed by the CDBG program.
Selby will use $272,900 in CDBG funds for upgrades to its water mains. Leakage and infiltration in the existing lines could potentially contaminate the city’s drinking water.
“This project will replace the existing cast iron main that was installed in 1947 with PVC pipe, and all fittings will be wrapped in plastic to prevent corrosion,” said state Rep. Charlie Hoffman, Legislative District 23. “These upgrades are critical in ensuring Selby has safe and dependable drinking water for years to come, and I am pleased that the CDBG funds are available to assist with this project.”
The total cost of the water system upgrades in Selby is $734,935.
The CDBG program provides communities with resources to address a wide range of unique community development needs. Past grants have been used to improve or construct community buildings, fire halls, water systems, and sewer systems.
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