supporting congressional authorization for, and federal participation in, major rural water supply projects identified by the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.

26.717.12 101st Legislative Session SCR607

2026 South Dakota Legislature
Senate Concurrent Resolution 607
ENROLLED

AN ACT

A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting congressional authorization for, and
federal participation in, major rural water supply projects identified by the
South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.
WHEREAS, safe, reliable, and sustainable drinking water supplies are essential to public
health, economic development, agricultural productivity, and quality of life for the citizens of
South Dakota; and
WHEREAS, many regions of South Dakota face long -term water supply challenges that
cannot be addressed solely through local or municipal systems and instead require large -
scale, regional solutions; and
WHEREAS, the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems represents rural water
systems, municipalities, and regional water suppliers across this state, and has a long history
of working collaboratively with state and federal partners to advance respo nsible water
development; and
WHEREAS, in 2024 and 2025, the membership of the South Dakota Association of Rural
Water Systems formally adopted resolutions supporting the continued development,
authorization, and funding of several major regional water supply initiatives that address
documented water quantity and quality needs across multiple regions of this state; and
WHEREAS, South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems projects include the Dakota
Mainstem Regional Water System, which serves central and southern portions of eastern
South Dakota; the Western Dakota Regional Water System, which is addressing long -term
water deficits in western South Dakota; the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System, which
includes the pursuit of congressional authorization for feasibility work related to a second
expansion to meet future demand; and the Water Investment in Northern So uth Dakota,
which supports municipal, rural, and industrial water needs in the northern region of eastern
South Dakota; and
26.717.12 2 SCR607
SCR607 ENROLLED
WHEREAS, large-scale water supply projects typically require congressional authorization
and federal participation through the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Reclamation and other federal agencies before construction and full impleme ntation can
proceed; and
WHEREAS, congressional authorization is a critical prerequisite to securing federal cost -
share participation, advancing feasibility studies, and ensuring that projects can move forward
in a timely and cost-effective manner; and
WHEREAS, demonstrated alignment among local water providers, state leadership
through the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and South Dakota's
congressional delegation strengthens the state's position in competing for federal
authorization and appropriations;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Senate of the One Hundred First Legislature
of the State of South Dakota, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that long -
term, regional water supply planning is critical for South Dakota's future, particu larly the
major rural and regional water supply projects identified in the resolutions adopted by the
South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that continued coordination is encouraged among local water
systems, the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems, the Department of Agriculture
and Natural Resources, and federal partners, to ensure these projects are develo ped in a
fiscally responsible manner that serves the long -term interests of the state and its citizens;
and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor
of South Dakota, the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the South Dakota
congressional delegation, the United States Department of the Interior's Bureau of
Reclamation, and the South Dakota Association of Rural Water Systems.
26.717.12 3 SCR607
SCR607 ENROLLED
Adopted by the Senate, February 2, 2026
Concurred in by the House of Representatives, February 25, 2026

_____________________ _____________________
Chris Karr Peggy Laurenz
President Pro Tempore Secretary of the Senate
of the Senate

_____________________ _____________________
Jon Hansen Patricia Miller
Speaker of the House Chief Clerk of the House