NAWS to become water authority

Legislature elevates local oversight

The Northwest Area Water Project will be placed on equal footing with other large regional water systems in the state when it officially begins operating as a water authority after Aug. 1.

The North Dakota Legislature approved the creation of a NAWS Water Authority in House Bill 1218, and Gov. Doug Burgum signed the legislation April 12. HB 1218 elevates the current NAWS Advisory Committee to an authority, providing the proper local oversight for the project and also helping the state determine the roles that can be delegated in the future regarding the management of NAWS, according to the North Dakota Department of Water Resources (DWR).

"Basically the authority will be a lot more active in determining the overall operations of the NAWS system now that it is getting built out," said Dan Jonasson, Public Works director for the City of Minot. "Minot will have four representatives on this nine-member voting board and I believe it will be a good progression towards overall operation and maintenance of the NAWS system."

NAWS was developed to address longstanding water supply and poor water quality problems in northern North Dakota by delivering high-quality Missouri River water to the region.

"Currently, with various projects under construction that will move water from Lake Sakakawea to Minot by fall of 2024, there is a need to update and modernize the project's oversight," said DWR Director Andrea Travnicek in a news release. "As the NAWS project progresses, it's important to have all user groups providing project direction. The new NAWS Authority will do just that."

Currently, the NAWS Advisory Committee consists of one person representing each of the following: Minot, water resource districts, State Water Commission (SWC), Turtle Mountain, rural water, other municipal, Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and an at-large member.

Under the new authority, there will be four representatives from Minot and a representative from North Prairie Regional Water District, All Seasons Water Users District, Upper Souris Water District, cities other than the city of Minot with direct water service from NAWS and the State Water Commissioner representing the Souris River Basin. Nonvoting members will include representatives from the Garrison Diversion Conservancy District and the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians.

Language in the bill details how different representatives are appointed to the NAWS Authority. Most are recommended by their respective political subdivision and then appointed by the State Water Commission, except for one city representative other than City of Minot, who will be selected by election by cities at their annual meeting of the North Dakota League of Cities.