BISMARCK – The Northwest Area Water Supply project was awarded $1.31 million for an intake and improvements at the Snake Creek Pumping Plant at Thursday’s meeting of the North Dakota State Water Commission. The Ward County Water Resource District also was approved for $153,750 for low head dams remediation.

The SWC approved funding for 23 water infrastructure projects across the state, totaling about $34.3 million in cost-share support.

Additionally, the SWC approved a $41 million loan for the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Project. This is the second flood project loan for the City of Minot, and it will be used to advance the MI-6 and MI-7 phases in the area of Roosevelt Park and Zoo. The Bank of North Dakota is providing the loan at 2% interest for up to 40 years, according to Minot Finance Director David Lakefield. Repayment is expected to come from Minot city sales tax collections.

The City of New Town was approved for $153,000 for the Sand Hill Water Tower replacement project. The Western Area Water Supply Authority (WAWSA) received $926,679 for Williston Regional Water Treatment Plant improvements, $300,000 for the McKenzie County Water Resource District System 4 Part 4, and $5.95 million for the Northwest Rural Water District- East Williston County Road 9 expansion.

The City of Williston was awarded $489,282 for the Sloulin Drive improvement project.

The SWC also unanimously passed a resolution of appreciation for former Department of Water Resources Director Andrea Travnicek, recognizing her commitment to managing North Dakota’s water resources and her leadership on numerous initiatives during her tenure, including key studies, public education campaigns and advancing research into managed aquifer recharge.