VC Water And Sewer Projects Awarded ARPA Grants

On April 20, it was announced the state of Montana will receive $127 million for the second round of competitive water and sewer grants that were secured in the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). The state’s ARPA Infrastructure Advisory Commission approved $118.2 million for 95 water and sewer projects in the state as well as $8.8 million for 34 irrigation projects in the state. The commission approved grants of up to $2 million each for investment in the water and sewer projects and grants of up to $500,000 for the irrigation projects.

In Valley County, these funds will benefit the North Valley County Water and Sewer District to improve the water systems, Dry Prairie Rural Water Authority to improve the Opheim mainline, and the city of Fort Peck received funds to improve the Fort Peck Wastewater Irrigation.

“For Montana communities to have economic certainty and job growth, water infrastructure has to keep pace,” said Senator Jon Tester (D). “I’m proud to have secured these investments through the American Rescue Plan to upgrade and rebuild water and sewer systems across the state that have been outdated and unreliable for far too long. Now that the state has determined the funding for these projects, I’ll be working to ensure that money gets to the folks on the ground without delay.”

“All Montanans have a right to clean and reliable water, and today we helped secure that right into the future,” said Commission member Sen. Ellie Boldman (D-Missoula). “Democrats are proud to vote once again to make sure that the American Rescue Plan delivers for Montana.”

On April 14, Governor Greg Gianforte announced the scores and ranking of the applications for critical water and sewer investments by the state. The rankings also included the state’s first round of investments in irrigation improvements.

“Safe, clean drinking water, effective wastewater systems, and reliable irrigation infrastructure are critical to our communities,” Gov. Gianforte said. “With these strategic, long-term investments, we’re modernizing Montana’s infrastructure for our kids and grandkids.”

The state received applications for 179 water and sewer projects in the second round of funding, with $262 million requested. The state also received 39 applications for irrigation infrastructure improvements, totaling $10.9 million. A team of technical experts in drinking water, wastewater, engineering, and project management at the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation (DNRC) conducted the review and ranking. The scores and ranking of the applications were submitted to the ARPA Infrastructure Advisory Commission to make the final recommendation on which projects will be awarded funding.

“We need the Biden administration to move quickly to release ARPA funds so we can get to work,” Gov. Gianforte said.

Agencies administering and assisting with the ARPA water and sewer grants include DNRC, the Department of Environmental Quality, and the Department of Commerce.

Projects that were approved by the state’s ARPA Infrastructure Advisory Commission is a part of the $910 million Coronavirus State Fiscal Relief Fund secured for the state of Montana to respond to the economic effects of the pandemic.