BURLINGTON – A new water tower to accommodate Burlington growth is among projects sharing in $24.4 million in federal funds for water supply systems in the state.

Sens. John Hoeven and Heidi Heitkamp recently announced the Bureau of Reclamation grant, which will be distributed through the state’s Municipal, Rural and Industrial water program.

Burlington is proposing a $1.5 million, elevated water tower to be located in the Highland Ranch subdivision, located on the south side of Ward County Road 10, just west of U.S. Highway 2 & 52.

Working with the city, engineer Patrick Samson with Ackerman Estvold said the additional water storage is necessary to provide water supply and fire protection for the Harvest Heights and Highland Ranch developments that were annexed to the city a few years ago. The proposed tank would hold 300,000 gallons.

Construction of the tower is not expected to occur until 2018. Samson said a water transmission line must be installed first. That line will be built this year, opening more land for development in the subdivisions, where additional growth has been stymied due to water constraints.

Some of the federal grant money also will go toward MHA Nation’s Twin Buttes water treatment plant project. The project will increase capacity and access to clean water and booster water intake to meet demand in the area.

Heitkamp noted the $24.4 million award to North Dakota was the highest dollar amount awarded to any state.