Senate bill targets $1.38 billion for North Dakota water projects

What does this do?

S 4040 updates an existing federal water law to authorize new funding for water supply infrastructure in North Dakota, covering treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, and distribution systems. The bill targets projects already planned but never fully funded. Authorized amounts are designed to adjust with construction cost changes so inflation does not leave projects underfunded.

Who does it affect?

Rural North Dakota residents, farmers, small-town households, and tribal members on the Fort Totten, Fort Berthold, Standing Rock, and Turtle Mountain reservations are the primary people affected. Residents of the Lake Traverse Reservation may also be affected if a funded feasibility study leads to construction.

Why does it matter?

Many of the water systems targeted by the bill are incomplete or aging, leaving communities without reliable access to clean drinking water. The bill does not guarantee spending; it only authorizes Congress to appropriate the money through future budget legislation.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• ~$743M for four tribal reservations
• ~$637M for non-tribal rural areas and cities
• Lake Traverse feasibility study funded