This agreement provides funding to south dakota department of agriculture and natural resources

This $5,593,200 federal Formula Grant awarded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) under the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (CFDA 66.468) program provides capitalization funding to the South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources (DANR). The grant enables DANR to offer low-interest financing to eligible public water systems across the state for planning, designing, and constructing drinking water infrastructure projects. Key activities under this grant include upgrading water treatment facilities, replacing lead service lines, improving distribution systems, and providing technical assistance to small water systems to enhance drinking water quality and public health protection. As a sub-awardee, local water systems, conservation districts, and municipalities like Sioux Falls will utilize the grant funds to carry out eligible drinking water improvement projects. The award period is from August 15, 2024 to August 14, 2031.

Section 1452 of the safe drinking water act (SDWA) authorizes the state to utilize funds to further the health protection objectives of SDWA. This agreement will provide funds to capitalize the recipient's drinking water state revolving fund (DWSRF) to provide low interest financing for costs associated with the planning, design and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects and activities to protect human health. As part of this agreement, the recipient ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, which are designed to protect public health.activities:the recipient of these funds will provide low interest rate financing to eligible public water systems for the costs associated with the planning, design, and construction of eligible drinking water improvement projects. The recipient may also use some of the funding for specific set-asides, including but not limited to providing technical assistance to small systems, for operator certification activities, and source water protection activities.subrecipient:the bulk of the SRF will be used for loans and other authorized assistance to public water systems for eligible projects, including improving drinking water treatment, fixing leaky or old pipes (water distribution), improving source of water supply, replacing or constructing finished water storage tanks, and other infrastructure projects needed to protect public health.outcomes:the anticipated deliverables include financing, planning, design, and construction of eligible public health-related projects. Deliverables will also be used to increase the technical, managerial, and financial capacity of public water systems. The expected outcome is public health protection. The intended beneficiaries include citizens throughout the state.