A proposed regional pipeline to deliver Missouri River water across eastern South Dakota could carry a price tag of between $8.4 billion and $10 billion, according to preliminary estimates shared Monday
Dakota Mainstem Regional Water System Executive Director Kurt(Feye-full)- told the Rotary Club of Downtown Sioux Falls that the estimate includes a 30% contingency because many project details are still unknown. The proposed system would serve nearly 60 water providers in eastern South Dakota and parts of three neighboring states, with the capacity to deliver 195 million gallons of water per day.
Pfeifle said an initial study has been completed, and the organization is beginning a $4.2 million feasibility study expected to take about two and a half years. Federal legislation backed by South Dakota’s congressional delegation would help fund that study, along with studies for two other major water projects.
The proposed Western Dakota Regional Water System is estimated to cost about $4 billion, while an expansion of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water System is projected at $2.5 billion.
Lewis & Clark Executive Director Troy Larson said the system, which has been under construction since 2003, currently serves 20 cities and rural water systems and is expected to complete its base system by 2028. An expansion would increase capacity from 44 million to 60 million gallons per day by 2030, but Larson said member communities are expected to need an additional 95 million gallons per day over the next 40 years.
Water officials say the projects are being driven by continued population growth and economic development, with some utilities already facing capacity limits during peak summer demand.
