VERMILLION, S.D. (KTIV) -
Since the federal government signed an agreement in 2000, funds for the Lewis & Clark Regional Water Treatment System have slowly dried up.
It was supposed to funnel treated water—from Missouri River aquifers—to 20 different communities in three states.
But nearly half still aren't connected to the system.
"The members are beyond frustrated. For a while, we were using politically correct terms like disappointed and frustrated. The members frankly are angry and outraged," said Troy Larson, executive director of the Lewis & Clark Regional Water Treatment System.
Federal funds have been cut over the years. This year's funding is down to about $5 million, from high of nearly $60 million in fiscal year 2009.
For the next two years a small project that connects a water treatment plant near Vermillion, South Dakota, to Rock Rapids, Iowa, is the biggest thing they can afford to do, right now. Nine other communities are still without water—four in Minnesota, four in Iowa, and one in South Dakota.
"So, unfortunately the point being is that we're making really insignificant construction progress," said Larson.
The project will receive about $4.5 million under the new budget.
Because of inflation, officials say the project is at least five years behind, and the costs have already increased by about $40 million from the initial estimates.
If the Vermillion plant gets finished, it will be able to treat about 45 million gallons of water per day, with hopes to bring capacity up to 60 million, which would make the largest water treatment center in the state.
Sioux Falls currently has the largest plant.
