BISMARCK — The North Dakota State Water Commission approved $9.6 million for the Western Area Water Supply Authority’s McKenzie County Water Resource District System 4 project at a meeting last week. The project was among $35.4 million in funding awarded.

The project consists of construction of a ground storage reservoir and installation of more than 138 miles of transmission pipeline to provide service to 83 additional connections for residential and agricultural services.

In other action and in response to improved drought conditions, the SWC deactivated the Drought Disaster Livestock Water Supply Program, effective Sept. 1. The program was activated in April 2021. Over the pat 16 months, the program has provided cost-share for about 840 projects involving 600 producers, with total reimbursements of about $3.1 million. Under the program, producers can receive 50% cost-share but no more than $4,500 per project and up to three projects per producer.