Johnson, Klobuchar View Regional Water System Progress

Press Release

U.S. Senators Tim Johnson (D-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) today got a firsthand look at new developments to the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System and brought together local officials to discuss the needs of the project going forward. Johnson, a member of the Appropriations Committee, and Klobuchar, a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, have worked to keep the project on track, which will provide water to 300,000 people in three states, including South Dakota and Minnesota when it is completed.

"I was pleased that Senator Klobuchar and I could see firsthand the strides being made on the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System," said Johnson, who has used his seat on the Appropriations Committee to provide the project $120 million since 2008. "It is important for us to make sure that the funding we have worked so hard to secure is being spent so we can have a clean, reliable water supply for people in both of our states."

"The Lewis & Clark Regional Water System is a key infrastructure for the three-state region," said Senator Klobuchar. "It's essential for the economic vitality of our local communities."

Authorized in 2000, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System will serve more than 300,000 people in communities in South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa. Johnson and Klobuchar have worked together to secure funding to ensure the project stays on track. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which both Johnson and Klobuchar supported, provided the project with an additional $56 million.

Johnson and Klobuchar were joined by Troy Larson, Executive Director, Lewis and Clark Regional Water System; Red Arndt, Chairman, Board of Directors, Lewis and Clark Rural Regional System; Mark Cotter, Director, Sioux Falls Public Works; Greg Anderson, Superintendent, Sioux Falls Water Plant; John Lawler, Mayor, Tea; Andy Steensma, Mayor, Luverne, Minnesota.

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