The federal Bureau of Reclamation announced Monday that the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System (L&C) is receiving $60 million in FY23 from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL). Combined with the $18.6 million included in the FY23 Appropriations Bill that was signed into law on December 29, 2022, it brings total FY23 funding to $78.6 million for ongoing construction of the tristate drinking water project.
Lewis & Clark Regional Water System Executive Director Troy Larson said the $60 million will be used for the Sibley service line, Sibley meter building and Phase 3 of the water treatment plant. Among other things, Phase 3 includes two more solids contact basins, a second gravity thickener and another lime slaker.
Larson added that the latest funding does not get the water system across the finish line in terms of completing the 44.19 million gallons per day base system, but gets it really close. Depending on the FY24 funding levels from the Appropriations Bill and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, it’s hoped that next year will be the last year federal funding is needed for the base system.
