SURREY – Proposed improvements to Surrey’s wastewater and water distribution systems can move ahead without the need for further substantive environmental review, the North Dakota Department of Environmental Quality (NDDEQ) reported following a recent review.

The department determined Sanitary Sewer Improvement District 2024-1 is eligible for a categorical exclusion under the National Environmental Policy Act because the area previously has been disturbed and no historical properties impacted.

According to the department, Surrey’s wastewater collection system has severe inflow and infiltration due to broken or cracked pipes, which causes increased strain on the city’s lagoons. The portion of the water distribution system that is part of this project is deteriorated asbestos cement pipe that is undersized.

The proposed project will rehabilitate the sanitary sewer system throughout the city by relining the pipes and doing spot repairs to significantly reduce the inflow and infiltration problems. Replacing the segment of watermain that crosses under the railroad will save time and costs in the future when the rest of the watermain is to be replaced.

The City of Surrey has applied for a Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan of $1.93 million and a Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loan of $242,000 to finance the project, according to a department news release.